Cupcake update - Starting over the Black Screen

So after some issues with the way that the original screen looked I decided to start over.  On the left are my tools.....dip pen, drawing fluid and paint brush - One the right is the finished drawing fluid version of the cupcake.

I have currently filled the screen with screen filler and it is in the process of drying.  Should have it washed out soon.

UPDATE:  Right at the end of filling in the screen I accidentally dropped some screen filler into one of the washed out areas.  I tried wiping it out with lots of water and got "most" of it, but when I printed it there were marks where the ink didn't go through (see below).  Time to start over.

2ND UPDATE:  This project is starting to wear me down.  I filled the screen for a third time today and noticed while cleaning my scooper that it looked like there was drawing fluid along the edge.  Turns out that there was.  The humidity must be keeping it somewhat moist.  It was dry to the touch and not even tacky when I put the screen filler in.  After washing out the screen I have large areas of screen filler in what should be my black line areas.  I have to start again.  Washing out the screen now.  I may need to take some time away from this one until the humidity drops and then try again.

Cupcake Update

Decided this morning that I was not completely happy with the line quality of the final screen for the black outline of the cupcake screenprint.  I am currently washing out that screen and I'm on vacation from work for almost 2 weeks so I should be able to really get things rolling.

Production and Work In Progress

This is a picture of my ink well and my Amur Tiger linoblock from my printing session the other day.  I printed 17 prints and they are currently hanging and I'm waiting for them to dry.

In the last two days I've also progressed on two other projects.  The Heinz Field sing in mostly traced, but there are some tiny areas that require a sharp pencil and a steady hand.  Almost done here.

Worked on the color separations for my Red Panda as well tonight.  Finished the black key color and tonight worked on identifying the lightest yellow of the fur.

New Tiger Block test print!

Above is the new lino block the Amur Tiger that I started a while back.  I wasn't completely happy with the past print so I decided to completely re-do the entire block from scratch.  I did use the same image and was actually able to transfer the pencil tracings from the last block which helped to move things along quicker.

I'm happier with this version of the block, but still not completely sold on it's final look.  Below are the original two...the left was the original and then the re-carved version to it's right.

Definitely trying to get my art making back on track.  I have a lot of blocks to work on and now that my room is mostly back together I plan on ramping up my production.

Getting things ready again.

Got the wall fixed about a week ago and I've been rearranging a bit.  Should be back to printing within a couple days... at most.

Slow work.....

I'm still working on art, but things have slowed down over the last week.  Had to have some work done to one of the walls in the studio and due to the dust that's going to be created I've slowed down my art making.

I did create a new 4x6 Amur Tiger linoleum block that is carved and ready to print.  (Waiting til the wall is finished so that the dust doesn't settle onto the ink)

I'm also working on a new registration jig that will fit the Oaks Theater block.  My current one is too small (works best for 4x6 and 5x7) so my new one will work better with 6x8, 8x10 and 9x12's.  I've glued it together and now I just need to get some longer screws and drill out the peg holes.

I also did touch up work on the black outline screen for my cupcake screenprint.  I'll look at it again tomorrow morning to see if I missed any areas.  I'm trying to get some of the small errors that occurred during my hand application of the drawing fluid to the screen.  Since the drawing fluid is applied via a paintbrush I sometimes make little dips in and bumps in the designs outlines.

Also working a lot on the computer by editing and cropping photos for newer projects.  I've been wanting to try a more urban themed linocut.  So I've been looking through my pics of Pittsburgh and the other various citites that I've visited looking for just the right types of pics.

I'm ready to get back to consistent work

15 Minutes of Fame

Andy Warhol said everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame.  I'm supposing that this is mine.  My 4 color screenprint "Buttered Popcorn" on the Andy Warhol Museum Tumblr page.