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

Baren Digest               Thursday, 4 March 1999       Volume 06 : Number 472

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 1999 13:23:17 +0900
Subject: [Baren 3362] Misc. stuff ... 

Jack wrote:
>  it is my understanding that a Japanese plane, properly
> sharpened and used, will produce a finished surface at least equal to that
> produced by a scraper, therefor the scraper step would seem to be superfluous.
> You've had much more experience with the surface produced with both tools, so
> what's your impression?

The key phrase there is I think - properly sharpened and used.  Yes,
Shimano-san could produce a glass smooth finish on the wood, as can any
competent carpenter here.  But getting a Japanese plane set up correctly
is not a simple matter.  Even though the plane itself is of simple
construction, and it can be adjusted with a very delicate touch, it
isn't easy to do.  And the more delicate the work one is trying to do,
the more difficult it gets.

The advantage of a scraper is that once it's properly sharpened, there
is no other 'set up' necessary.  You just flex it in your hands, and
draw it across the wood surface.  And it is _very_ easy to see just how
much you are cutting, and from where you are cutting it - both difficult
with planes.

***

Jake wrote:
> ... I'm looking for someone to make my life easy (aren't we
> all) and say: Jake, here's what you need, here's where you get it... 

This is our main problem now isn't it - too much information!  

I'm very aware of this one Jake, and have sketched out a new section for
the [Baren] web site - 'How to Get Started'.  It's a section that will
show people step-by-step _exactly_ how to make a simple woodblock print
using nothing but 'tools' and supplies that they already have in their
kitchen and lying around the house.  

And then of course, for those who try this and like it, it has a section
outlining _exactly_ some sample tool sets ...

At the moment though, this is still just a sketch, and it's not ready
for uploading yet.  I'm working on it now and then as I get a bit of
time.

Maybe it's better if I didn't mention this yet?  Too late now!

***

Bea wrote:
> I would like a hands on experience to sort out all the differences ...

I think I neglected to mention the other day, that John Amoss (yes, St.
John) has been sending me info on woodblock workshops all over the
place.  That page in the Encyclopedia has been updated ...  Anybody
interested in any kind of workshop please check out his list:

http://www.woodblock.com/encyclopedia/topics/003/003.html

***

... and all kinds of people are asking about the next exchange.  

To do or not to do is not the question.  There is obviously a lot of
interest, and even though we haven't seen [Baren 1999] yet, it seems as
though [Baren 2000] won't be far behind it.  I've already been chatting
with Jim and some others about this, and quite a number of interesting
ideas are starting to come up.  

Please hold off on this for another week or so, until we've all had a
chance to see the current folio and chat about it.  I'll post a message
later, outlining some of the thinking on the [Baren] exchanges, and will
be asking for your input at that time.  

***

And one more little announcement.  There is a new address associated
with woodblock.com - I've set up an incoming ftp directory.  For those of you who
don't know what that term means, it is simply a place on the
woodblock.com web site to which _anybody_ can upload files - you don't
need to know any passwords or special ID.

The idea is to save this hassle of people sending me photos and scans
through email attachments, which are a pain in the neck.  From now on,
anyone who needs to send me such material can simply upload it to:

ftp.woodblock.com/incoming

Mac users can use the program 'Fetch', and others can use a program such
as 'Cute ftp' ...  Just set your program to point at that directory, and
then 'put' your file up there.

Dave

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From: "Brad A. Schwartz" <brads@iea.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 20:45:47 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 3363] Re: At long last... here come the prints! 

Haydee and List Members...

I noticed that right after the message you sent to the Baren List there
was another one sent with the same topic, it was automaticaly sent by a
virus (Happy99.exe) and contains a virus to do the same thing to other
people's computers.

I suggest you not send any more messages to anyone until you get the virus
taken care of. 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
For those of you out there that use Macs, this is a PC only virus (note
the .exe)...

BS

Brad A. Schwartz	

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From: ArtSpot@aol.com
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 23:47:42 EST
Subject: [Baren 3364] The Site of Baren 

Thank you for making that site... and for all it's features. I really enjoyed
viewing it, seeing faces and art work. What a joy.

I've lost the link if someone would care to send it as I'd like to send it to
others... and got it from an unknown letter. My sending it to the studio puter
brought about a glitch of some sort.. so could use your help.

ArtSpot Out
Benny Alba in studio

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End of Baren Digest V6 #472
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