The issues continue....brayer issue as well as ink issue??

While printing the last couple layers on the Cafe print I noticed that the brayer only seemed to be placing ink on it's edges and not down the middle.  As much as I want to continue on printing I decided this morning to test the brayer on a lightly sanded lino block.

What I got was the picture above.  Shown is two passes...one on the left and one on the right.  The darker greys are where the brayer left ink.  Keep in mind that the actual center of the block is the overlap of the two passes.  Looks like I'm going to be needing a new brayer before I can continue.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #inkissues #brayerissues  #sigh

Unfortunate situation for Cafe

Attempted to print the Cafe print this morning and with the help of the Tack Reducer I had some initial success.  Unfortunately things took a turn for the worst and I realized that none of the prints registration was matching up.  The paper initially was tight on the pegs and I noticed that this was not the case this time around.  

I had already printed mutliple prints when I also noticed that the ink was starting to mimic the issues that I had previously.  So since I'm having major issues with both the ink and the now the registration I've decided to bring this project to a complete stop.  I can no longer go back and reprint the the first two colors since I've carved that part of the block away.

It's unfortunate and I've never stopped working on a piece before due to issues, but since there are so few of this piece left to create an actual edition of quality prints I've decided to end it here.

I still have the initial tracing of this piece and may wind up trying to transfer the image again to a new block and start over, but for the time being I have other prints that I'm interested in getting going.

Below are some images of the issues that I encountered today:

 

(The left image shows the surface texture from the ink laying oddly as well as the filling in the intricate lines.  The right image and the one below also show the mis-registration and texture.)

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #Cafe #printmakingproblems #printingfail

Hi-Land Dodge and Cafe updates

Completed the tracing of the background trees behind the Dodge truck this morning.  Going to transfer this over to a lino tomorrow morning since I have to start to get ready for work.  I also bought some new Sharpie markers in various colors to try out color coding the entire linocut.

Once the drawing is transferred to the block, I'll start to trace it over with my new markers.  Excited to start work on this new piece.

I've also received a new can of Gamblin Hansa Yellow and a Gamblin Tack Reducer.  From the feedback I've gotten from Gamblin and other printmakers it seems that this tack reducer is possibly going to be the answer to some of my problems.  I'll admit though that I'm nervous about trying it out...

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #Gamblin #HansaYellow #TackReducer #Dodge #ZionNationalPark #TradingPost #ZionParkRV

Hi-Land - New 9x12 - 5 color reduction

 

"Hi-Land" - 9x12 - 5 color reduction print

Starting to begin a new piece while waiting on some new ink and a tack reducer for the Cafe linocut.

This is an image of a photo that I took of an old Dodge truck located at the Trading Post and/or the Zion Park RV on UT-9 which just outside the eastern entrance/exit of Zion National Park.  After taking the picture, I had considered making it into linocut and have finally decided to pursue making it.  Originally I intended it on being a full color reproduction, but have now decided to make it a monochromatic (single color with varying tints and shades of that color).

Surprising to me I have almost completely used up an almost brand new 4B pencil.  Since some of the details are very fine I have to continue sharpening the pencil and now it's almost done, but then...so is the image.  I only have the upper right hand corner of the image left to complete.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #truck #dodge #Hi-Land #ZionNationalPark #TradingPost #ZionParkRV

Cafe update - Inking issues

So yesterday I managed to pull a print of the orange neon tubing that is in parts of the Cafe sign.  If you look closely at the image above, you'll see that things did not work out so well.  The ink did not transfer so well to the print and came off very splotchy.  It adhered in some places and not others leaving a very textured surface on the print.

 

Here are two detail shots of the area which had the worst transfer.  You can see the texture and in the left image you can see where the ink filled in the thin cut (bottom 1/3).

I do not claim to be an expert at this process and have sought out help from other printers in hopes of figuring this out.  Some recommendations were too add some oil to the ink to reduce it's stiffness and to add a tack reducer.  I have oil and this morning added some to the mixture as well as pulled a print to test the ink.

 

Unfortunately, the results were fairly similar this morning though not nearly as bad as yesterday.  The ink still filled in the thin lines and even some of the thicker areas.  The tubing area of the "f" in the image on the right has most of the edges filled in with ink and when printed left small ink peaks on the paper (they remind me of small mountains).  I'm very concerned about the progress of this piece and will need to buy some tack reducer to see if that helps.  Unfortunate, but I'm not going to just push ahead and completely ruin this piece just because I would like to get it moving.

While I'm waiting for the tack reducer, I'll probably start work on the Diner piece and hopeully have a printed image within a couple days.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #neon #sign #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #Cafe

Almost printed the next color and then....

Almost......and then I compared the block to the photo again and decided to do a little more carving.  Actually, it turned out to be a considerable amount of carving.

I decided to use the second grey color which was the shadows on the neon tubing as the shadow areas that fell across white parts of the sign.

 

Color swatches of both the 1st and 2nd greys & example photo of the cast shadow areas that Grey #2 was used for.

I'm going to also look at the cast shadows that fall inside the letters before I continue printing.  Technically, the should be the same color as the cast shadow areas that I just carved.  The problem I see though is that the shadow on the tubing is the same exact color and in some cases runs completely through large areas of shadow (which would then completely negate the shadow on the tubing itself).

Decisions, decisions.....

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #neon #sign #HarleyDavidson #LasVegas #Cafe #shadow #carving

Diner - Reduction Linocut update - Carving

Spent a portion of my overly hot afternoon carving away the white areas of the Diner lino that I've started.  I also ripped the necessary paper for the print and now I just need the high heat that we've been having lately to take a break for a little while so that I can get this piece started.

While I'm waiting though, I'll continue to take a glance at this each day to see if there are any areas of white (paper color) that I've missed.

 

Here are two detail shots of some of the areas that I carved out this morning.  Some of these areas are relatively small, but with the help of some new gouges that I received for my birthday this whole process went pretty easily.

First color up on this particular print will be a straight-from-the-can Gamblin Hansa Yellow.  The next color is a much warmer yellow and is already pre-mixed.  The second color will act as the cast shadow(s) on the circles that surround the letters.

#art #printmaking #linocut #reductionlinocut #carving #diner #neon #sign #somersetpa