[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking.

Baren Digest              Monday, 16 November 1998      Volume 05 : Number 345

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From: Gayle Wohlken <blueman@pantek.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 08:56:12 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2106] Re: Baren Digest V5 #344 

Dave, I was always hoping there was a way we could hear these
words.  One I've always wondered about is "kitakata", the paper
a few of us like to use for our oil-based ink prints.  These words sound
very different than how I was trying to say them.  For instance, I
was saying "han-sheeta" (drawled out that American way with the
accent on the "sheeta" and the "han" sort of like the vowel in "cat".

* * * *
Roger, my drawing didn't print right.  I had it perfectly
lined up so you could see a board as if held horizontal in front 
of your eyes, and a "T" was a screw sticking up.  I'm sorry I
can't make these computer drawings send the way I create them.

* * * *

"Steiner" said: 
>  Call me Richard, then.

Thank you.  Though I have wondered if we'd do better calling each
other by last names, then we'd know for sure  who is who.  So far it
hasn't been a problem because the Jeans spell their names differenly
and the Dave's go by Dave and David.  I think you are the only Richard
so far.

Gayle

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From: "Fatima Ferreira" <fami@mail.telepac.pt>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 14:53:33 -0000
Subject: [Baren 2107] me, a new one at baren forum 

Hi :
I'm new in this list.
I'm a portuguese architect that began learning and doing printmaking for 
the last three years. I never did woodblock or woodcut prints, I use 
only copper plates for etching, embossing, carborundum and chine coll
techniques till now.
I'd like to know about woodblock and woodcut techniques, that's why I'm 
here now.
Although in Portugal I don't see many impressive works on this 
techniques, I've been very fascinated with the works of some japanese 
printers I found in the 4th Sapporo international Print Biennale Catalog 
and specially with the works of Kwang-Jean Park that are shown in the 
Internet through Tobai International at 
http://members.home.net/dmcclean/links.html

my first questions are : How and where do you get such big blocks to do 
this kind of large works ? is it usual for japanese techniques to finish 
work with brush hand after the printing ? could this be accepted in an 
international competition or not, once that it turns the work more 
original than multiple on my point of view ? and how big could be the 
paper for printmaking you get in Japan ?
I hope you'll don't find my questions too ignorant, please don't forget 
I'm new in this matters... I hope to hear from you.

Fatima Ferreira

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From: Jean Eger <jeaneger@LanMinds.Com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 07:29:59 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2108] Re: Baren Digest V5 #344 

Graham and April, thanks for the good advice.  I think you are right.  The
rice paste is too thin and I'm putting too much on the block.  I'll wait
for it to get satiny.  I'll try again.

Dave, if the worst thing you can say about me is that I'm redundant, then
I'm doing well.

Ray, I got used to you and now I miss you when I don't hear from you!

Jean Eger

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 10:36:48 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2109] Re: me, a new one at baren forum 

Fatima wrote:
>    I hope you'll don't find my questions too ignorant, please don't 
> forget I'm new in this matters... I hope to hear from you.

    Welcome to Baren.  Never worry about asking questions.  The only 
silly or ignorant question is the one never asked.  You should see some 
of the questions I asked in the early days.  I will leave the answers to 
your questions to Dave and the other more experienced members.  We are 
very happy to have you aboard.

    Hey Everyone:

    PLEASE visit the site Fatima recommended.  Someone may have told us 
about it in the past but this was my first visit.  It is a treasure 
trove of woodcut information.  I was happy to see a sample of a print by 
Maki Haku who was my inspiration for my first prints (as shown on the 
Newbie Journal) and continues to be a source of ideas.  The links on 
this site are fantastic.

    Cheers

    Ray

    Does fuzzy logic tickle?

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@islandnet.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 12:16:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 2110] Re: me, a new one at baren forum 

Fatima,

Welcome  aboard......and while talking about boards ....... I will let some
of our Yanky friends answer the question about where to get large boards.
The guys in Japan can answer the question about paper size over there.

"Finish with brush hand".......are you referring to touchup with brush to
correct or for that matter modify the image...?  If so then sure you can do
anything you want with your print as it is your creation.  I know of people
that add details and or some sort of calligraphy to their prints as a part
of the process.  It really all boils down to whether you are a purist or
not.  Acceptance into competition would depend on the rules or guidelines
of the organization.  Originality certainly would be the case if you were
to brush or add and marks to the print.   Go for it......

Regards,

Graham

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From: Gary Luedtke <GLuedtke@compuserve.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 16:31:15 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2111] me, a new one at baren forum 

Welcome to Baren,  Fatima.   One of the finest features of this forum is
the wide variety of its members,  which your presence expands.   Another
fine feature of it is the friendliness of its members and their willingness
to help each other.   Though I cannot answer any of your current questions,
those who can, will.   Nice to have you join us.

Gary Luedtke
Kansas City, USA 

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 07:37:04 +0900
Subject: [Baren 2112] BIG paper ... 

Fatima wrote:
> How big could be the paper for printmaking you get in Japan ?

I'm just looking in Yamada Shokai's new catalogue, and find a few papers
that _might_ be of use ...

To start with the largest, it is a roll of shin-torinoko (available in
either white (Catalogue #7001) or cream(Catalogue #7004)), with a width
of 1850mm and a length of 20 meters.  That's about 6 feet wide and 65
feet long. The price is 9,000 yen per roll.

Big enough for you?

As for paper in single sheets, the largest is nishinouchi at 1,580 x 720
mm (Catalogue #7106).  This sheet has deckle edges, and is priced at 900
yen per sheet for 'light' and 1000 yen for 'heavy'.

Yamada Shokai is at:
Yaesu 2-6-10
Chiyoda-ku   Tokyo
JAPAN    104-0028
Tel: 3-3281-1667
Fax: 3-3278-9854

Their new sample book, containing all their printing papers (along with
a price list) is available for 1,500 yen (plus postage).

Note that the samples in the book all have the names printed on in both
English and Japanese.  It's worth the 2,000 or so just for that
'dictionary'!

Note: if you do order the book, make sure you specify 'paper for
woodblock printmaking' - they have dozens of other sample books ...

Dave

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From: Jean Eger <jeaneger@LanMinds.Com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 21:18:03 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2113] Re: Baren Digest V5 #344 

Barenzeniens:
Hooray!  Remote woodblock advising really works.  I got a nice flat area of
magenta by mixing the rice paste a lot thicker, using a softer Japanese
brush, and making the student Hosho damper (softer!).  That really boosts
my spirits.  I was beginning to despair.  Thanks you-all.

GRaham wrote:
>Jean it sounds like you have not mixed the paste properly.
>Did you mix the flour in water to a thin paste.

yes

>Did you boil the water.

yes

>Did you pore the boiling water in the thin paste mix

yes

>Did the paste go translucent and very thick.

translucent yes, thick no.

>Does the paste just barely drip of the end of a spoon handle.

Thanks, Graham!

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End of Baren Digest V5 #345
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