[Baren} the mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking Baren Digest Wednesday, 5 July 2000 Volume 12 : Number1066 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Gayle Wohlken Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 09:55:20 -0400 Subject: [Baren 10304] Productivity via John Ryrie > I have been doing prints for about 21 years now, last year I tried to count > them all this turned out to be difficult, there isn't room in my studio This shows us how, if we just keep working at what we love to do, it all happens anyway. Goals are good for more scattered people--those who spread themselves thinly over the offerings of life. I like goals myself as they keep me from taking on every little temptation that flies in my face. If you have a one-pointed interest, then there's no problem. But if, like Barbara Mason said, you like it all, then you need some discipline if you want to accomplish something. That's where the goal is needed. Gayle ------------------------------ From: John and Jan Telfer Date: Tue, 4 Jul 00 22:43:09 -0000 Subject: [Baren 10305] Re: Using Oil based Ink "Baren Digest" >I've been advised to use sanding sealer [available from paint stores] It >keeps the oil based ink from soaking into the wood and especially if you There is no need to varnish the wood if you are printing with oil based inks...the oil in the ink will lubricate the wood, and the turps will only make the varnish sticky. I never use a lot of turps on my woodblocks, only enough to wipe off the ink and never saturate the block. Then again, I don't use a lot of ink on my blocks anyway, and cleaning is never a really messy problem. Run a dry toothbrush over the block after cleaning it especially if you have some fine lines close together and that clears any inky residue. Hope these tips help, Jan ------------------------------ From: ArtfulCarol@aol.com Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 10:52:18 EDT Subject: [Baren 10306] Re: Re acryl, printing procedure I have used acrylics from the tube and mixed with a little water in my monotypes. I covered a whole piece of plexi then scraped very quickly with a plastic card, spatula, whatever works. Then at the risk of breaking my neck, rush to the hand print section on the table. This stuff dries fast, but I enjoy the textures it produces. Also can be done with several colors at the same time. Clean the plexi very quickly with toothbrush and water. Carol Lyons Irvington, NY USA Happy Fourth! ------------------------------ From: "Bea Gold" Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 09:49:46 -0700 Subject: [Baren 10307] giving up? Welcome to all the new members, and thank you all for your stimulating exchanges. I've been hanging in the background for a while, reading and thinking about all you were talking about, especially the discussion about "editions". Maria, the Baren-Suji is great and with your energy and drive, 1000 is a piece of cake. Jeanne, your #6 is my #5, I thought I'd blown it on hanga but here I go again (I hope). With my leg in a brace and not allowed to put weight on it, I'm not sure how I'll handle a big(edition) printing job but I'm going to try! Sheryl Coppenger are you all healed? Anyone who had a similar problem and figured out hanga printing? Bea Gold Los Angeles, CA USA http://www/beagold.com/ ------------------------------ From: "Jeanne Norman Chase" Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 13:15:25 -0400 Subject: [Baren 10308] Re: giving up? Bea Easy does it!!! When I get in a frenzy, I really goof up whatever I am doing. Too many things to do in too little time. I sit down a lot when I am carving the block, but it is hard to run an edition by hand if you cannot stand up. I have a press but I still like the hands on feeling of the Baren running over the paper .Maybe you can prop your knee on a chair for support. I started a new # 6 and I am going to take a tip from Maria. She goes with the flow of her emotions. I find I do better work that way. When I get too picky, yuck. The last 2 exchanges of mine were the worst. Since the next exchange looks like it will be filled up by the next deadline. I will take a break. No, Dan, I am not giving up, just giving up the print I did for the # 6 exchange, but started a new one today. Already it is coming along much better. Simplicity is the key!! I am ttoo stubborn to give up ;on anything. Gayle Looks like we have a hanga printer coming up. Will be waiting to see your next print with baited breath!!! Here I go again, cut, print, toss (not really) Jeanne N. ------------------------------ From: Artsmadis@aol.com Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 15:01:39 EDT Subject: [Baren 10309] Re: Using Oil based Ink In a message dated 7/4/00 9:23:48 AM Central Daylight Time, jtelfer@iinet.net.au writes: << the turps will only make the varnish sticky. I never use a lot of turps on my woodblocks, only enough to wipe off the ink and never saturate the block. >> I guess the wood I was using was too soft and more absorbent than would be ideal. I was printing by hand and the trouble I was having was that using solvent to clean the block washed it into the cut lines and made it almost impossible to see when continuing cutting as the whole block ended up quite dark. I'll use a better wood from now on. By the way, I saw a couple of years ago in the book "Artist Beware" that turpentine vapors are supposed to be more harmful than mineral spirits [paint thinner.] Thanks for the information on inking and cleaning. Darrell ------------------------------ From: Artsmadis@aol.com Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 15:10:58 EDT Subject: [Baren 10310] Re: Re acryl, printing procedure In a message dated 7/4/00 9:53:51 AM Central Daylight Time, ArtfulCarol@aol.com writes: << acrylics from the tube and mixed with a little water in my monotypes. I covered a whole piece of plexi then scraped very quickly with a plastic card, spatula, whatever works. Then at the risk of breaking my neck, rush to the hand print section on the table. >> I haven't tried it but aren't you supposed to be able to coat your plate with gum arabic and when it is dry use acrylics or watercolors for monotypes? I guess using damp paper [probably with a press] it is supposed to realease the color easily and completely. If that works one could work at a more leisurly pace. Darrell ------------------------------ From: Graham Scholes Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 19:07:42 -0700 Subject: [Baren 10311] Re: giving up? Jeanne N wrote..... >Looks like we have a hanga printer coming up. Will be waiting to see your >next print with baited breath!!! We are really close to catching up after being so occupied with Dave and family being here. My, it took a lot of energy to host folks and we worked very hard at trying to ensure David and Sadako had a grand visit. Taxi service (only two busses a day out here in the country) and Marnie even brought coffee to their bedroom door each morning...... Pampered beautifully pampered..... Dave could not get over the space around here.... He told us that our kitchen and den area was the size of his apartment and workshop..... Interesting enough that is where we do most of our living, other than a bedroom. Oh my, I got carried away..... What I want to tell everyone is that the print images have been fine tuned and will be soon on the web site. Boy is there some excellent work with creative images and most important ..... risk taking. >Here I go again, cut, print, toss (not really) Gee wiz Jeanne you forgot "create" Graham ------------------------------ End of Baren Digest V12 #1066 *****************************