Friday, September 21, 2012

Experimenting With Print Making



When's the last time you tried print making?  For me, it was high school and back then we called it lino printing.  I was pleased to learn that old fashioned lino printing has become much easier and more enjoyable thanks to new and improved materials.

Recently a friend suggested taking a workshop in printmaking from Jennifer McIntyre.  I'd not really thought about doing printmaking before my friend expressed an interest in the workshop, but when opportunity comes knocking I've learned that it's a good idea to hop on board.  (Oops... mixing metaphors there... but you get the drift, right??)  We showed up at class clutching a selection of B&W images (photos converted to B&W and printed on everyday letter sized paper), cutting tools and pieces of thick, soft, easy to cut vinyl.

I chose to base my piece on a photo of Mount Baker, taken from Cattle Point just outside of Victoria, BC.


It took me much longer than my friends to get my image carved and ready for printing.  I probably should have tried something a bit less detailed for my first attempt at printmaking after all these years... but I see a pattern developing in my life...  I tend to jump in at the deep end of the pool when I learn new things by starting out with a challenging project instead of wading in gradually with something quick and easy.  (Note to self... you have permission to not do things the hard way!  Lol...)

Part way through the carving process, Jennifer (our instructor) suggested that we could print an "artist's proof" to get a sense of how our image was developing.  The first picture on this post is one of my artist's proofs. Jennifer showed me how to ink the vinyl "plate" with a "rainbow roll" - multiple colours of ink on the brayer that created a gradation of colour on the printed image.  I am completely in love with that artist's proof with it's rainbow roll!  Oh, and the light purplish line you see in the foreground of the print...?  That's colour that transferred from the black Sharpie marker I'd used to draw my carving lines on to the vinyl.  It wasn't intended to be part of the print, but I happen to really like how it looks.  Hmm... maybe I'll have to try other prints with deliberate Sharpie marker line transfers in them!  : )

Back to carving away more of the vinyl... and soon I was ready to make a print of the finished plate -- this time all in black.


So, what do you think?  The black and white image is very dramatic.  Very different from the softness of the artist's proof at the top of this blog.

Jennifer suggested that the sky could be inked a different colour.  To do that I ran a utility knife between the land and the sky and completely cut off the sky portion of the plate.  (It felt a little strange to cut apart the thing you'd just spent hours to create!!!)  When we printed it, the bottom of the plate was inked with a dark colour (that came out looking black) and the sky portion of the plate was inked with another rainbow roll.  The two pieces of vinyl were nested snuggly beside each other like puzzle pieces before the paper was laid down.  Here's the result...


I really like that effect, too.  Oh... the possibilities...!!!  : )

At the end of the workshop Jennifer had me print a handful of copies in light grey of just the bottom of the plate (without the sky).  These prints are for me to hand colour with watercolour paints.  Once they're painted and dried, I will over print them with black ink.  That should be interesting... we'll see how it turns out.  I'll keep you posted!

As always, I hope you're taking/making time for some art in your life.  It really can be an uplifting break from the stresses of everyday life!
: )  Fern

15 comments:

  1. Fabulous, stunning, just GORGEOUS!!! Mt. Baker is so majestic.
    I am SO impressed, Fern! And intrigued. I would love to try this. Adding to bucket list...

    Pattie

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    1. Thank you Pattie. Yes, Mt Baker is very inspiring. I hope you can make opportunity to try printmaking - I think you'd love it! : )

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  2. Gosh this is beautiful Fern! Oh I so want to try this - really interesting to read how you had to cut the plate to get the two colour effect. Cant wait to see the pieces with watercolour - please show us when you're done.

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    1. Thanks Denise! : ) Please do give printmaking a try - it so enjoyable. If you lived closer we could muck about with it together... lol... This past week I finished colouring the prints with watercolours and have overprinted them in dark ink. I'm hoping to blog about it in a few days, so stay tuned!! : )

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  3. Fern these prints are beautiful and yes haven't the print materials improved so much, especially being able to cut a plate in half! I have begun using print in parts of my illustrations and enjoy it very much. These are so inspiring, I hope you do more. :)

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    1. Thank you Suzi! I have all sorts of printmaking ideas swirling through my head at the moment.... as well as other art ideas. Don't you just wish you could clone yourself sometimes so you could make more art..!?? lol...

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  4. Those are amazing, Fern! Can't wait to see more of this process from you (particularly love that it's Mt Baker too!).

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    1. Thank you Valerie : ) I've done some hand coloured prints and will blog about them very soon. I know Mt Baker must have a special place in your heart since your roots are here. I'm glad you like my interpretation of it. : )

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  5. Wow! Looks so beautiful! I've been wanting to try some printmaking too, and have also wondered about printing with watercolor. Can't wait to see more!

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    1. Hi Sadee - I'm glad you like the prints. I hope you do try some printmaking - I never expected it to be as enjoyable as it has been... and I think I'm hooked! My issue now is space... hmm... how to push out the walls on the house to create some "art playing" space... lol... : )

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  6. Beautiful, really worth the effort you put into it!
    (And yes, lino prints, I remember them!)

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    1. Thank you Merisi! Thankfully the new and improved version of "lino printing" is SO much more enjoyable than what we did in school! lol... : )

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  7. These look amazing Fern. I am so glad that you are experimenting with printmaking. :) Such a fantastic art form.

    Indeed, be sure to post updates.

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  8. Fern your prints are wonderful! I love the blue sky one. Makes me feel so happy just to look at it. Can't wait to see what you do next, the whole process looks like a giant mystery to me. Love it! =:0) Lenore

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    1. That looking at my work makes you feel happy is a huge compliment. Thank you Lenore! More printmaking to be blogged about very soon. : ) (ps: Love reading your blog about the bunnies you make and the astonishingly beautiful miniature furniture for them!)

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