[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking. Baren Digest Sunday, 12 September 1999 Volume 08 : Number 700 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Gayle Wohlken Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 10:05:22 -0400 Subject: [Baren 5746] Re: Baren Digest V8 #699 Greg wrote: > I had intended to print on a traditional Japanese paper (I think called Kitakata) It's not sized, Greg. When I first got on Baren I tried using my Kitakata paper to do a hanga style print and was deeply disappointed in the mess it made. I sent the result to Dave so he could see my first attempt. Since then, I haven't done a hanga style print because I don't feel I understand enough about the materials. I plan to take a workshop (hopefully with April next year if she offers one). By the way, thanks everyone for tips on keeping fingers safe. I got out the waterstone after Wanda sent a message about sharpening the tools, and just went ahead and tried to sharpen that bullnosed chisel. Wanda said that Graham showed them how to sharpen by going side to side. So I tried that and it worked, and I could not believe how well that chisel cut after that small sharpening session I did on it. Greg R., I don't understand holding the To with the fist. Can that be better explained? While you are fist-holding it, what is your other hand doing? Pushing on it, too? Guiding it? * * * Sorry about your knee, Dave. I've noticed that too in hiking. Coming down the hill does a number on the knees. If it's going to go "out", that's when it will do it. Gayle ------------------------------ From: Gary Luedtke Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 10:18:18 -0400 Subject: [Baren 5747] Re: Short notes ... Dave wrote, >The draw was fair and square, I know, Dave, that was said tongue-in-cheek, to express my envy of those lucky ladies who won the draw. No aspersions as to your credibility. I should have put a winking smile punctuator after that. > Whatever happened to the "critiques" you were all > expecting from your exchanges? This was just a topic to get things "rolling". It didn't prove to be. On the subject of "rolling", here's an idea for a "rolling press". Julio, you probably have everything you need already. Consider this. Julio and others have been kicking around the design of a press, mindful of keeping expenses down, open to innovative suggestions, and foraying into the boneyards of scientific-ware for the guts of a yet-to-be-constructed press. May I offer a suggestion? Get your plate ready, get your paper ready, mount the paper on your garage wall, mount the inked plate on your front bumper, hop in the car, and full steam ahead! Simple as can be. Okay, yes, registration may be a slight problem, but skill is required in all printing, isn't it? Who would've thought your driving skills could be turned to such artistic advantage? Think of it. You could do a whole edition for the cost of a cheap gallon of gas. Now there is some art that would definitely make an impression! Don't forget, however, to remove the plate from the front bumper when you have finished the edition. Should you be unfortunate to strike a poor pedestrian out on the road, your "copyright" will not be protected. ; ) ( The poor pedestrian may be quite impressed with your work, however, even emotionally _moved_!) Oh, and one further note. Should you wish to make an "abstract" print, simply keep the garage door closed. The further you get into the edition, the more "abstract" your prints will become. You may want to sign the edition, in this case,_before_ you print it, however, for the benefit of your heirs. : ) Gary ------------------------------ From: Wanda Robertson Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 10:08:32 -0700 Subject: [Baren 5749] Re: wet or dry Hi Greg, Did you take any of the proofing paper home from Graham's? It is shin torinoko - same color as kitikata, but sized. It *is* hard to get just the right amount of moisture in it, though. Now, the spendy stuff is like something from heaven - except for the price, of course. Rather than try to size your paper - which sounds incredibly complicated (to me, anyway) get some sized stuff. Touch your tongue to the paper to tell if it is sized or not. If the paper sort of draws all the moisture out of the tip of your tongue (that capillary action, again) it *is not* sized. If it just feels smooth, & doesn't stick to your tongue, then it is sized. Now, as for telling the amount of sizing - I haven't figured that out yet. But I'll bet you a US$ that Dave knows! Thank you so much for the lovely carving compliment - to a pretty much rank beginner like me, it is encouragement beyond belief! To you oil inkers: I use Arches 88 -dry- on the press (a combo etching/relief press). Kitikata or mulberry -dry- when burnishing. Have never tried using them damp or wet with oil inks. What is the advantage? Wanda ------------------------------ From: Bea Gold Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 10:10:55 -0700 Subject: [Baren 5750] new hanga persons The hanga mystique will never stop amazing me! I am now on my fourth hanga and realize how much the hands on experience with April taught me. Holding the TO with clenched fist was a revelation to me - pinkie down - thumb on top (short handle) pushing the knife blade down about 1/16 of an inch - fore finger of other hand pulling back on the To - slow and easy - amazing control! I found a great new wave sizing method - I had trouble finding the right brush to use - either it held too much or left uneven streaks on the paper - I found the little tool used to paint corners on walls - it is a small pad of foam covered with a thin sheet of fuzzy material and a handle on top - (found where paint rollers are located and very inexpensive) dipped in the sizing and brushed along the edge of the straight sided container it holds the right amount - (the Phillips formula of 1/8 oz (3/4t) alum to1/4oz (1/2T) gelatin dissolved in 35 oz water) - and brushes easily on the paper to be sized. ------------------------------ From: James G Mundie Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 12:47:26 -0400 Subject: [Baren 5751] kitakata Greg Robison wrote: >I have been inching forward on my first solo hanga, and am having >trouble with the wet/dry paper problem in printing. Yes, Greg, much as I love kitakata it is indeed unsized. This generally poses no problems for me, however, as I print on it dry with oil-based inks. There are a number of other papers already sized with similar color and texture whose names escape me at present. Recently, I had great success with an unbleached mulberry when my local supplier was out of kitakata. Very similar warm hue, though not quite as fine and light. Mise le meas, James Mundie, Philadelphia USA ------------------------------ From: "Jean Eger" Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 02:41:16 +0900 Subject: [Baren 5752] Dave, I really have to thank everyone who took the time to give me their very helpful comments on my "Ruffled Feathers" woodcut. I hadn't seen them all until now. The only better thing would be if their names were on their critiques. The critiques were really professional--people who really know what they are doing, and have a warmth about it, which helps instead of destroys. I was really able to take a new look at the print through others' eyes. For those people who took the time to critique, I'd like to add that I hoped to form a contrast between day and night with the black box in the print. There were helicopters by day and flying horses by night. You couldn't really see the fight because it was hidden from view from most people. It was a kind of a dog fight, but not serious, just "ruffled feathers." Not knowing much about the opponent, I had to leave it in the fantasy realm. There really was an argument between me and one of the list participants at that point. He always chose to criticize off the list, which was disconcerting. I felt like I was being mugged in a back alley where no one could see what was going on. So I am glad to have the criticism be public. At least if it is public, then if it really isn't fair, someone can come to my defense. On the other hand, the conflict did inspire some art work. One person wrote, "Was this done for a special audience, to whom everything has a special significance? There is a lot of energy here that suggests significance I cannot decipher." You were right. There were allusions to something private there. I can understand that some people might not be ready for a serious critique. Others might be at a high professional level, where they are selling a lot and depend on the income. They would not want any critique which might cause their customers to doubt their purchases or their competence. In those cases, a public critique would be very in appropriate. Jean Eger http://users.lanminds.com/~jeanger ------------------------------ From: "Jeanne N. Chase" Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 13:48:28 -0400 Subject: [Baren 5753] Re: Short notes ... Gary A couple of days ago, some of us were talking about the "good old day of rock and roll" and all of the things that went with it, like "smoking", According to your latest post re; printing with car bumpers etc. I think you had better put down whatever you are smoking!!! Interesting subject, making your own press. However since I am still trying to master the computer (unsuccessfully), I had better not get too interested in making a press. Do they still sell the old fashioned fitted irons. I remember my mother having one. Could you really print with one. If so, I will start looking in our junk stores for one. Good idea if it would work. Sorry about your knee, Dave. At least it should not interfer with your printmaking. Jean I really do not think that you are a beginner anymore than most of us. We are all, always learning. {Do'nt take Gary's advice though, You will ruin your car, to say nothing of the garage wall!]. Will look forward to your new page, I still use tracing paper. I just received a delightful letter from a good friend who is on vacation. She sent me a clipping from the local paper, all about Matt Brown demonstrating his hanga style.at the Fair. She was very exhuberant about seeing him, not knowing that he is a part of the Baren group. It was the first time that she had seen a demo like this, with Matt sitting on a floor mat, Japanese style. It is a small world after all. Jeanne ------------------------------ From: arafat alnaim Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 11:21:15 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Baren 5754] Re: web site for presses.. Ayre wrote: > Manley Banister's book "Prints from linoblocks > and woodcuts". Hello Arye, it sound that this is agood book could you give us more information and an over view about it. Thanks Arafat Al-Naim ------------------------------ From: Gary Luedtke Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 14:50:40 -0400 Subject: [Baren 5755] Re: Short notes ... Jean wrote, >A couple of days ago, some of us were talking about the "good old day of >rock and roll" and all of the things that went with it, Jean, I _never_ inhaled! And actually, I never smoked. At least not in the recent past that would disqualify me from public service at the presidential level. Yes, I was going a little off the wall there, but hey, I just have a streak of humor in me I can't repress sometimes. Now, what is this about flying horses in a dogfight with helicopters?????? Anyway, on a more serious note, Jean, I liked your thoughtful comments about "critique-ing". Nicely stated. I think it pointed to an issue which makes critique-ing a very delicate subject, perhaps. If there is a tone of condescension, it will be resented and taken as something personal, and any lesson that _might_ be there, will be lost. If it is done with gentle guidance it may be taken more warmly into consideration. Back to the rooftop. ( I am re-roofing my house) I was just on a Coke break. (No, Jean. The kind that spritzes when you pop the top and pour it over ice. Not that Rock and Roll stuff.) Gary ------------------------------ From: John Ryrie Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 08:54:15 +1000 Subject: [Baren 5756] Re: wet paper I don't know why wet paper was used in Western printing. In medieval times it was the standard way to print and William Morris revived the technique in his book printing. It may have had something to do with sopping the paper from moving wen you rolled it into the Albion press but I don't know. This idea of using an old Iron to print could be a good one. By placing a pear of underpants between the iron and the paper you could get two jobs done in one operation. John Ryrie ------------------------------ From: Gary Luedtke Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 21:07:57 -0400 Subject: [Baren 5757] Re: wet paper John said, >This idea of using an old Iron to print could be a good one. By placing >a pear of underpants between the iron and the paper you could get two jobs >done in one operation. I like yor cents of humor, John. You might even get that textured cotton look in your print. I know there's a Japanese term for that style of printing, but the name of it does not come to mind. Maybe that's what Dave did on a few Surimonos back. Pressed his laundry and editioned a print at the same time. I always wondered how he managed to do so many things. Doubling up is the key. Gary ------------------------------ From: Maria Arango Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 20:39:46 -0700 Subject: [Baren 5758] Re: Pontiac prints! No really, hear me out for yet another ccccrazy collaboration idea. Maybe not printing with a Pontiac, but what about a huge size print printed by a bunch of Baren yielding valiant Bareneers at the same time? That is, we get together a collaboration group, decide on a design together for a, ohh, let's say 8' x 4' sheet of standard plywood, draw or transfer, cut, ink, and print together. Each of us could handle about a 24"x24" square at a time, couldn't we? Imagine the resulting prints! very few prints, of course. I was in Seattle a while back and saw a woodcut print (size of paper 9'x5', size of block 8'x4', edition 11) in the Seattle convention center that was printed on a single sheet of white paper with black ink. The image was a composite of several square blocks and it looked like the process was just as I have described, because there were variations of strength and style within the print itself. Depicted ironing boards in several different orientations and heavy wood texturing done in a very simple and high-contrast style. It was an awesome sight, I think I stood in front of it for hours. Just an idea...hey quit laughing! it's still hot here, okay? affects a person's brain... Health to all, Maria ------------------------------ From: Maria Arango Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 20:53:26 -0700 Subject: [Baren 5759] Re: bad knee, Juan's work, greenugly envy Juan, muy bonito tu trabajo, very nice work! Dave, tall people always have knee problems, it's a well known physiological fact (bad backs too, so just wait :-) No really, just ice it, injuries like to be iced. MY print, yes I said MY print, arrived today and it is one of the most beautiful precious things I have ever seen. Thank you Dave, it is truly incredible work, I can hardly believe that it triggered a conversation on mistakes. If you look closely (I hope it's still posted on Dave's site) there are some minuscule little men in the very back of the print--the legs of those tiny men can't be thicker than a milimiter and they are OUTLINED in black with flesh tone filling the leg. Man-oh-man, do I have a lot to learn. Better go practice some To moves right now. Maria ------------------------------ End of Baren Digest V8 #700 ***************************