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Message 1
From: David Harrison
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 19:25:51 +0000
Subject: [Baren 32831] grain on shina print
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Hi all,

I just tried cutting a shina block for the first time...a real pleasure
after lino!

However a *lot* of grain shows through in the prints. I was proofing on
fairly heavyweight drawing paper (sized but slightly fibrous to the
touch), burnishing by speedball baren, spoon and fingernail and applying
'washable' oil-based ink with a durathene roller.

I guess things will improve after a few millennia of practice, but is
there any way to get slightly less grainy prints? I'm fairly sure the
inking wasn't too grim -- the roller shushed nicely without gumming up,
the block looked fairly evenly inked, and it would have been hard to
apply more pressure by hand.

Is it simply a case of printing a lot of proofs to 'fill the pores', so
to speak, or are there other things to try?

Many thanks and all the best,

David H

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Message 2
From: Jim Bryant
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:06:24 -0600 (GMT-06:00)
Subject: [Baren 32832] Re: grain on shina print
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To get a very smooth surface, you can sand the block with a very fine sandpaper, put on a light coat of varnish, and sand again after it dries. I print with oil based inks--i'm not sure how the varnish responds to water based inks, maybe someone else will know. Very smooth paper also helps get flat areas of color without grain showing, so you may want to try some other papers (i print on Rives lightweight and Kitakata).

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Message 3
From: David Harrison
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 22:57:23 +0000
Subject: [Baren 32833] Re: grain on shina print
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Thanks, Jim! I'll give your advice a try. It should be ok with varnish
anyway -- the ink's based on some sort of oil, just (I think!) not
linseed. I've got a few sheets of slightly smoother paper so they might
be worth a try tomorrow...

cheers,

David

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Message 4
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 15:29:06 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 32834] Re: grain on shina print
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David,
When you say grain do you mean little grains like sand or grain of the wood? If it is sand you do not have enough pressure...use thinner ink and thinner paper, both will allow you to use more pressure with a baren. I have no experience with a speedball baren but I would suspect you will get better prints using a wooden spoon..start from the center and work out to the edges. You do have to live with some graininess in work printed by hand if you use heavy paper. I have seen work printed on fairly heavy paper using oil based ink and printed by hand that were perfect...but it takes a lot of muscle.
Best to you,
Barbara

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Message 5
From: David Harrison
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 23:46:07 +0000
Subject: [Baren 32835] Re: grain on shina print
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Hi Barbara,

It's wood-grain for sure. I think Jim was on the money about filling in
the gaps with varnish.

I did do a couple with only a spoon, and they were certainly better than
with the baren -- more force concentrated on a point, I guess. I'll try
what you said about working out from the middle.

If light paper will give a more even print by hand, it's no problem --
there are a couple of sheets of Japanese paper lurking in the spare room
and I can always order a few more! Beats cracking the table trying to
lean on it any harder :-)

Thanks again,

David

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Message 6
From: Dakotaleather # aol.com
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 19:39:03 EST
Subject: [Baren 32836] Intro
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Hi

My name is Davida Cook. I live in New Hampshire. I've been lurking for few
years. Although I am a very non traditional printmaker, I have enjoyed and
learned a lot from the discussions here. I do relief prints and really love the
problem solving aspect of making things. I have finally put together a
website and I am open to any feedback. Thanks.

Davida
_http://dcookprints.com/index.html_ (http://dcookprints.com/)

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Message 7
From: slinders # comcast.net
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 21:45:39 -0600
Subject: [Baren 32837] Exhibition in Victoria, Australia and Congrats to John Ryrie
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"Exhibition on show
16 March–17 June 2007
State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

This free exhibition celebrates the arts of printmaking and the
book with a stunning display of limited-edition prints and
handmade artist books.
From folios of etchings and woodcuts to innovative books –
folded and stitched, boxed and bound – these are among the
finest examples of printmaking and the book arts in Australia.
The works have resulted from creative collaborations between
leading Australian artists, writers and printmakers at the
groundbreaking Edition + Artist Book Studio at the Australian
National University, where they experimented with materials and
techniques and explored the relationship between word and image.
This sumptuous display is bound to delight lovers of art, books
and literature.
The exhibition is complemented by an exciting program of events
and activities, from tours and talks to an advanced printmaking
workshop.

This exhibition is supported by Visions of Australia, an
Australian Government Program supporting touring exhibitions by
providing funding assistance for the development and touring of
cultural material across Australia.

PROGRAM OF EVENTS All events are held at the State Library of
Victoria, except the print workshop on 19 and 20 March (at APW).

Words and images: Examining the artist book
Saturday 17 March, 10.30am–5pm
A day of free talks, forums and displays at the State Library,
to celebrate the opening of How I entered there I cannot truly
say. Bookings are essential for all sessions, as places are
limited; call 03 8664 7016
or email bookings@slv.vic.gov.au.

Artist books from the Library’s collection
View a selection of unique and beautiful artist books from the
State Library’s Rare Books collection.
10.30am–3pm Queen’s Hall

Both a picture and a thousand words: Contemporary artist books
In this keynote address, Professor Sasha Grishin, art critic,
author and Head of Art History at the Australian National
University, explores the relationship between printmaking and
the artist book in the work of Australian and international
artists, including those featured in the exhibition.
11am–12noon Queen’s Hall

The artist book as a collaborative medium
The artist book often involves artists working together with
writers, printmakers, bookbinders and other artists. Hear an
expert panel reveal the perils and rewards of creative
collaboration. 1.30–2.15pm Queen’s Hall

Deluxe, letterpress, fine press and limited editions
Handcrafted artist books, made with fine materials and using
traditional printing and bookbinding processes, are highly
desirable objects – and valuable collector’s items. Hear local
artists and publishers discuss this niche area of book production.
Panel: Des Cowley, Chair (Manager, Rare Printed Collections,
State Library) 2.30–3.15pm Queen’s Hall

Afternoon tea and exhibition viewing
with curator Dianne Fogwell.
3.30–5pm Experimedia & Keith Murdoch Gallery

Other events:

John Ryrie, printmaker
View a display of artist books, lithographs and woodblocks
created by printmaker John Ryrie during his 2006 Creative
Fellowship at the State Library and inspired by material from
the Library’s Rare Books collection.
16 March–17 June, during Library hours
Cowen Gallery FREE"

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Message 8
From: Blog Manager
Date: 19 Feb 2007 04:55:24 -0000
Subject: [Baren 32838] Baren Member blogs: Update Notification
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This is an automatic update message being sent to [Baren] by the forum blog software.

The following new entries were found on the listed printmaker's websites during the past 24 hours. (30 sites checked, five minutes before midnight Eastern time)

*****************

Site Name: Woodblock Dreams

Author: Annie B
Item: Underprinting
http://woodblockdreams.blogspot.com/2007/02/underprinting.html

*****************

[Baren] members: if you have a printmaking blog (or a website with a published ATOM feed), and wish it to be included in this daily checklist, please write to the Baren Blog Manager at:
http://barenforum.org/contact_baren.php

For reference, sites/blogs currently being checked are:
http://barenforum.org/blog
http://woodblock.com
http://woodblockdreams.blogspot.com
http://studiodiary.blogspot.com
http://larimerart.blogspot.com
http://artflights.blogspot.com
http://printmakersmaterials.blogspot.com
http://mlyon.com/blog
http://room535.blogspot.com
http://mleeprints.blogspot.com
http://snowgum.blogspot.com
http://onthisblock.blogspot.com
http://pressing-issues.blogspot.com
http://www.1000woodcuts.com
http://theitinerantartist.blogspot.com
http://PLawing-Printmaker.blogspot.com
http://readdevine.blogspot.com
http://mokuhankan.com/conversations
http://mokuhankan.com
http://belindadelpesco.blogspot.com
http://vizart.blogspot.com
http://phare-camp.blogspot.com
http://amymstoner.blogspot.com
http://williamleeholtfineart.blogspot.com
http://web.mac.com/g_wohlken/iWeb/Site/Blog/Blog.html
http://curiousmatthew.blogspot.com
http://laine.lainegreenway.com/index.html
http://azuregrackle.com/blogs/index.php?blog=2
http://blog.olansa.co.uk/
http://www.jauntyrakes.blogspot.com

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End of [Baren] Digest