Handcarved cardinal block print by Andrea Lauren
Here is a recently shared multiple block cardinal print which is carved from a rubber eraser stamp blocks. It is nice to be able to work quickly to develop ideas which I will possibly return to later for more developed woodblock or linocut prints. These rubber blocks, though, do have a fun, quick and easy quality to them which is rewarding. I am working on a FAQ post and wanted to know if there was anything you were really interested in knowing about this process or my experiences doing this so far. Let me know if in the comments or send me an email: andrealaurendesign@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is beautiful Andrea! One of my favourites of yours. For the FAQ about your process, I'd love to see how you line up your blocks so well; what sort of jig do you use? Also, how you manage to be so incredibly productive! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cally! I will definitely be adding these to my list in the works! Really appreciate it!
DeleteFor the registration techniques, I will have to take some good photos of that process for teh FAQ;s. In terms of staying productive, this is my full-time work and although I do not keep a very rigid written schedule, I do work hard to accomplish everything on my plate each day/week. In terms of images, I keep a sketchbook of loose ideas and also more developed images. When you work win printmaking, you start to get a feeling for what is possible and what is not going to work. There are very few carved blocks which do not work since I plan everything well from the initial stages. Also, printmaking is lots of fun and it is quite easy to stay motivated with handmade art and design; when it comes to digital design, I find myself being very bored and loosing interest more quickly! Cheers!
DeleteHello, I really love all your prints, which are everytime very inspiring! For the FAQ I'd like to know whick inks you are using for block printing on paper and also on textile.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hello Marie, Thanks so much! I will definitely add in these details and links to where you can find them available. Cheers!
DeleteThe inks I use for block printing are Speedball or Blick water-based block printing inks. They are widely available in basic colors and also metallics. I have almost all of them on hand and they can create almost any color. For textiles, I use water-based textile screenprinting ink and add a fixative to make them a bit more permanent for washing. I let the ink rest in the air and slightly dry to a consistency similar to block printing inks. Right from the tub, screenprinting ink is too thin and liquid-y to be appropriate for blockprinting. I will add this to the FAQ's but here is is for now. Cheers!
DeleteI left a comment some days ago but I guess it got lost! I really love your work and I love each and every post in your blog. I tried to carve a simple design from a small linoleum block and my wrist still hurts... how do you grasp the lino cutter? Is durability the main advantage of linoleum versus rubber blocks? Or how else do you choose between linoleum and rubber blocks for each project?
ReplyDeleteHi Maite, and thanks for writing again with this good questions. Sorry for the inconvenience about the first message, sometimes that can happen with these inefficient comment spaces. So, carving with hand tools can be somthing that you will get used to and also something that takes time to develop some good muscles for that specific task. If you are using one of those speedball tools with the pink handle, I find that a handle a bit too large for my hand. What works for me is to find a tool, especially working with hard linoleum, that the end of the handle rest in the center of the palm of my hand. I can use all the force of my large arm muscles rather than the small hand muscles which are delicate and weak. You could look into a new set of tools (FlexCut makes nice relief carving tools and there are other brands on the market, too). Also sharpen your blades often. I use the FlexCut Slip Strop for that and it works very well to keep a fine blade for carving.
DeleteFor rubber, you can use the speedball cheapo blades since the material is MUCH easier to carve. The rubber will not be as permanent a block, though, and must be handled with care. Linoleum will last much longer and hold a finer carved line. There are pros and cons to everything in printmaking. Choosing which block to use depends on how fine the lines will be, if I want to use my etching press and thick paper, or if I want to make a multi-color block print and hand print using washi printmaking paper. I will include this in my FAQ since it is a fine questions. Cheers!
Thank you for your answer! This is a lot of information that I didn't know about, and I will definitely give it another try. I look forward to your FAQs and every other post. Cheers!
DeleteHi Andrea, I love all the prints you have, I'm inspired to learn to do as well, may I know what kind of rubber you used for this? Thank you.
ReplyDelete