[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking. Baren Digest Tuesday, 29 June 1999 Volume 07 : Number 611 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Cucamongie@aol.com Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 09:51:35 EDT Subject: [Baren 4782] workshop, etc GRAHAM - let's see did I get your name right now? :) and everyone who went to the workshop - it sounds like so much fun, sorry that various commitments & financial constraints kept me from participating! Anyway, it's fun checking out the pictures & of course the baren covering demonstration etc on the website - look forward to hearing more! Today I sent out 3 prints which are going to be up in a "Printwork '99" juried show (which I mentioned in an earlier post, possibly on the Baren after 5 group) at Barrett Art center in Poughkeepsie, NY. The opening is July 10, 4-6pm and the show will be up through August 7, for anyone who is near or passing through there and is interested in checking it out. Best to all and hope you're somewhere not as hot & humid as NYC right now! Sarah ------------------------------ From: Cucamongie@aol.com Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 09:56:46 EDT Subject: [Baren 4784] stinky brush stuff In response to Barbara & Wanda's mentions of the stinkiness of the brush preparation, my studio space is simply a room in my small apartment, so here is my solution to keep most of the stink out of my living space & lungs - First I put on a respirator - then I take a hot plate out on the fire escape and singe the brush(es) out there - this keeps a lot of the stink outside. Then as I do the conditioning of the brushes inside, I'm still wearing the respirator so I don't have to smell it at least & open up the windows w/a fan blowing the air out. The door to my studio is closed and this way, very little of the smell creeps into my living space. Of course, I'm also conditioning my brush on fake shark skin or "dragon skin" so I'm sure that also makes it less smelly, as the sharkskins are surely adding to the smell. Anyway, my 2cents- Sarah ------------------------------ From: Barbara Mason Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 07:58:32 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4785] Re: stinky brush stuff Hi Sarah, We WERE outside, we still smelled bad, probably because 3 or 4 brushes x 5 people.....you get the idea. Bit a respirator would have helped, and if I have to do it again, I will either go back to Graham's (I'll sneak in so he doesn't know I'm coming and can't leave town) or get one. Barbara ------------------------------ From: Graham Scholes Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 08:33:58 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4786] Re: Boot camp >Graham, Boot Camp sounds wonderful and I'm reading all the stories and >messages. Loved the pictures of the members and you and Marnie, and also >especially the covering of the baren. Graham >your a master! Thank you for the kind words. You had better check with the five sponges. They brought out the best in me.....so I'm not sure about that master compliment. >BUT - I need help - my computer crashed and I needed to reinstall Windows - I I can't help you with your computer as I know nothing about Windows. >Graham, has John gone home yet or is he still vacationing? >John should be home by now. He may of thought it was going to be a holiday >but when you WORK from 8.30am to 11.30pm it ain't what you call a >holiday... .Oxymoron....Working Vacation >Graham what did you say about the baren you were ordering for April and for >me? Will you be able to get them? Yes I have them here and plan to send them out by post to day. Please send my your postal address. The price is $45.00 Can + postage. When you get the parcel you can add the postage to your cheque. You can send us a Canadian money order. >April is it possible to be as entertaining as Grahams'? Hummmm. I think you need the five sponges....... Barbara,Wanda, Marco, John and Greg. Regards, Graham ------------------------------ From: Wanda Robertson Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 09:10:46 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4787] Re: Various ...+boot camp Welcome back, Dave. You were a frequent subject of our discussions at the workshop! Before you begin to think badly of this - we were all just so grateful for Baren and all it has done for us. The workshop, these new friends, all the information - none of this would have taken place without Baren! Thank you for all your hard work. Plus, we all got to see Graham's prints from Exchange #1. Wow! What a collection that is. Can't wait to see Exchange #2, that reminds me, better get busy and mail it to John today. Sarah: How wonderful! 3 prints in this show. I can't say I am surprised, though. Your dog print in McClains catalog is wonderful and I very much enjoyed seeing your print at Graham's from Exchange #1. Nice work! Brush conditioning: Nope we did it in the garage with a fan and the doors wide open! And nope, the shark skins didn't smell at all. Beautifully prepared and worked wonderfully well. Graham: You're sure a master in *my* book.Everyone at the workshop agreed, without the boot camp we'd have spent 10 years learning what we learned in a week! I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm very grateful for the opportunity. And by the way, I left my sharkskin - I'll be up next weekend for a week or two. JUST KIDDING! :-) Didn't mean to scare you! Heeheeehee. Gotta go check up on chores .... everyone either missed me a lot or they are just very hungry! Wanda ------------------------------ From: "Jean Eger" Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 08:59:37 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4788] Re: Baren Digest V7 #610 Graham, I can't thank you enough for all the pictures and descriptiosn of the workshops. They are really the highlight of my day. I'm really looking forward to the sharpening lesson. I love Barbara's long, no-paragraph descriptions. You might consider using oil of wintergreen oil instead of laquer thinner for transferring images. Laquer thinner is carcinogenic. Or wear a breather with organic filter and blue gloves, outdoors. Jean in CA http://users.lanminds.com/~jeaneger ------------------------------ From: Graham Scholes Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 09:15:54 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4789] Re: stinky brush stuff Sarah wrote.... > then I take a hot plate out on the fire escape >and singe the brush(es) out there - this keeps a lot of the stink outside. This is a must..... we did it in the garage as it was raining. I had arranged to use a big stump beside the garage.....plans of mice and men...... However three doors were open and a fan blew the smoke out and away for the singe-ers. It would be interesting to know what result of the Dragon Skin is on the brush. Dave put up a picture (I couln't find it in his site) of his brush showing the results of the shark skin... The ends of the horse hair were nicely tapered to a fine point..... is this what you get from the Dragon Skin.? Regards, Graham Oxymoron.... Alone together BOOT CAMP http://www.members.home.net/gscholes/wksp.html ------------------------------ From: Sherpsm@aol.com Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 14:04:34 EDT Subject: [Baren 4790] Re: Lacquer Transfer Method Graham and all - Sounds like a wealth of information was flowing there at Graham's studio. Graham, the 3 eagle sculpture on your web is terrific. Beautiful line! I wanted to comment on image transfer using a photocopy and lacquer thinner. I have used this method and will pass along my observations. There are indeed differences in toner; some transfer (Kinkos works) others do not. I also found that some copy machines will change the physical dimension of an image. I was coping a 9 x 12 line drawing and my image was increased by 3/16ths of an inch. I had drafting dots set up for reference so I was quite sure of the increase. Make sure you work from one master "Copy" or your registration may vary. (Yes, Dave someday I will try the traditional sumi keyblock images.) I do find the lacquer transfer method to be a very quick and efficient transfer. I do not think turp or mineral spirits have the ability to give a quick clean sharp line lacquer does. I also tried the wintergreen. I found the wintergreen smell almost as overbearing as the lacquer and it seemed to linger in the air longer even with my exhaust fan working. Also my image transfer was not as clean as the lacquer transfer. For the Wintergreen transfer I could use only elbowgrease, having no press available so that probably effected my result. Just more food for thought. Joe ------------------------------ From: "Jeanne N. Chase" Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 15:03:33 -0400 Subject: [Baren 4792] Various Barbara Your Post on Graham's workshop was a 10 point lesson! I really learned a lot just reading about your watercolor printmaking. I agree that to learn something new, it is a good thing to come in as a beginner in THAT media, no bad habits. But I wish Graham could have posted the results of all the printmaking. It would be great to see! But I realize that Graham is not God and cannot do everthing,.Well he almost can. Welcome to Baren, William Fisher. You will find a great group of people here! Sarah Just got my new McClains catalog and was really thrilled to see your print in that issue. What a sweet looking dog. At least you do not have to give him a pill (see "How to give a cat a pill") in After Five. Graham Wow, what a great workshop. Enjoyed the updates very much and wish I had been there. Are you giving another Workshop in the near future, or did this one do you in??????? I did not know that you had a daughter? Marnie looks so young, surely she cannot be married to a flasher??? Jean Where does one purchase oil of wintergreen oil? Sounds good to me. I usually use lacquer thinner and try not to breathe. John My Portfolio print # 2 will be in the mail tomorrow. At last! Anyway, welcome home all of you Workshop Boot Camp people , now get busy on Portfolio # 3 Jeanne ------------------------------ From: Graham Scholes Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 16:50:16 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4793] Re: Lacquer Transfer Method Joe wrote.... >I also found that some copy machines will change the physical dimension of an >image. I was coping a 9 x 12 line drawing and my image was increased by >3/16ths of an inch. I have yet to find a copy machine that maintains an exact size as the original. This does not matter as it is only the duplicates that you use.....and these must all be the same. The first time getting copies from a machine I have not used before I always take the first copy off, and then check this one with all the others. I hold them up against a window and make sure they are exact. Now I know the machines around town I can trust. > (Yes, Dave someday I will try the traditional sumi keyblock images.) Marco said while here at the workshop that in San Francisco he can get a transfer by using turpentine. We tried it here.......no go..... >I also tried the wintergreen. I will try wintergreen....if I can find it.....another no go.... Graham ------------------------------ From: Graham Scholes Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 17:05:35 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4794] Re: Various Jeanne wrote.... >But I realize that Graham is not God >and cannot do everthing,.Well he almost can. As I use to tell people taking watercolours lessons.... You have to play God as an artist.....if the tree, mountain, house or what ever is not in the proper place for good composition .....MOVE IT. >Wow, what a great workshop. Enjoyed the updates very much and wish I had >been there. Are you giving another Workshop in the near future, or did this >one do you in??????? Yes and Yes.....You will be the 7th to know. The 5 sponges from this year and Barb Hearn get first refusal. >I did not know that you had a daughter? Marnie looks so young, surely she >cannot be married to a flasher??? Its the plastic rain coat that does it..... Regards, Graham ------------------------------ From: Wanda Robertson Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 17:27:21 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4796] Re: Plastic disc baren Hi Matt, Just catching up on mail received while I was gone. We all would love to hear of your adventures in the Victoria & Albert Museum, and hearing about your workshop in May. Tell us more! We didn't get much computer time while at Graham's - he kept us prisoner in the studio. :-) We had 5 boxes of plastic baren replacements with us. We thought (and so did the salesperson) they were boxes of barens! Going to look at your site now! Wanda ------------------------------ From: karla Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 20:27:01 -0600 Subject: [Baren 4797] Re: Baren Digest V7 #610 A CALL FOR APPLICATIONS TO TEACH WOODCUT This is Karla from Frogman's Print & Paper Workshops in search of a traditional woodcut teacher for next summer's (2000) workshop. This year's starts on Sunday, so we're heavy into the final preparations for that. We have already booked an artist to cover oil-based techniques for one week and hope to find someone else experienced in water-based Oriental techniques; using a baren and/or a press, brushes instead of brayers, and all sorts of things discussed on this forum daily. I feel pretty confident that many of you here could fit the bill easily. I've been reading great things about Graham's workshop . . . If any of you are seriously interested in teaching for us here in South Dakota next year, please e-mail me some information about yourself and your experience and phone # as soon as you can. Then we'll contact you and give you more details about the gig and discuss it further. We'll be making a decision soon. Thanks, Karla Hackenmiller Frogman's Press & Gallery http://www.bmtc.net/~frogmans ------------------------------ From: Mariten@aol.com Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 22:54:26 EDT Subject: [Baren 4798] Re: Baren I wrote: >>How thick is the backing disk? How thick is the coil? The whole >baren looks like it's about 3/8" without the bamboo covering? Graham answered: I recommend you go to http://www.woodblock.com/encyclopedia/topics/001/001_frame.html and this will answer you questions. There are numerous pages that give you a good insight into the baren and how it is made. >> Been there! I asked the question only after I had read and re-read the explanations; the only clue there is as to the thickness of the backing disk is that there are 50 or so sheets of very fine paper glued together with a non-bodied adhesive. If I am going to substitute a backing disk (can't wait 8-9 months!) I need to have the approximate resulting thickness of such tedious and venerable labor. No biggie, I will experiment. Thanks, Maria ------------------------------ From: David Bull Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 12:36:54 +0900 Subject: [Baren 4799] Re: Baren dimensions Maria wrote: > How thick is the backing disk? How thick is the coil? The whole > baren looks like it's about 3/8" without the bamboo covering? I think the reason nobody answered you was they they didn't want to rip off the cover to measure it! The dimensions can vary quite widely, but here is one of my barens (a fairly 'heavy' one for wide colour blocks). Thickness of the 'ategawa' (backing disk): 1.5mm near the edge, thickening to about 2.5 mm in the centre Thickness of the coil: just about 4 mm This is quite thick, and most of my other barens are 'lighter'. *** Wanda wrote: > The workshop, these new friends, all the information - none > of this would have taken place without Baren! Well actually, I was thinking of asking Graham for a commission on the fees ... ;>) ... but I changed my mind. Just show us the prints! Dave ------------------------------ From: Graham Scholes Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 21:54:17 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4800] Re: Baren Maria wrote.... >Been there! I asked the question only after I had read and re-read the >explanations I thought I had seen the thickness there.....hummmmm.... soft memory is a previlage of flashers. Well to answer your question the thickness can vary slightly depends on who makes the ategawa. The thickness of mine is 2 mm. The edge has a slight lip that enables the Shin (coil) to nestle into the ategawa. Some are slightly convex, this can vary from maker to maker. Some are flat and the user can insert a round piece of paper to create the amount of convex they prefer. (How and I doing Dave) The diameter of mine is 13 cm. Hope this answers all. Graham ------------------------------ From: Graham Scholes Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 21:57:31 -0700 Subject: [Baren 4801] Re: Baren dimensions Wanda wrote: > The workshop, these new friends, all the information - none > of this would have taken place without Baren! Dave wrote.... >Well actually, I was thinking of asking Graham for a commission on the >fees ... ;>) ... but I changed my mind. Just show us the prints! How would a hand shake do!!!! Graham ------------------------------ End of Baren Digest V7 #611 ***************************