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

Baren Digest                Thursday, 6 May 1999        Volume 07 : Number 554

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From: Gayle Wohlken <blueman@nacs.net>
Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 12:21:28 -0400
Subject: [Baren 4314] Re: Baren Digest V7 #553 

Edo said, regarding the hoop around the chisel:
> I beleive it functions to keep the chisel's wooden end from
> mushrooming   too
> much when being hit with a mallet. I don't know how important
> this would be
> unless your really bashing it?

Thanks for explaining that, Edo.  I probably won't be bashing
too hard since I use a softer wood (poplar),  

I appreciate everyone's input about keeping the chisel the way
it originally was shaped.  Graham's idea of using carbon paper 
is unique.  Thanks, everyone.  And Phil, looks like I can't get away
from the practice thing.  I just hope I don't ruin the shape of the
blade
with practicing.  I tried a little cut with it and found it just the
tool I needed,
and I don't want to lose that edge.

* * *
Dave, that little tiny wee, itty bitty needle and the thread on your
Surimono block for the Number 3 print!!!  By the way,  I found only one
place that would show a close up and that was it.  I scanned the whole
image for a second spot, but  couldn't find it.

Gayle

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From: Jack Reisland <reislandj001@hawaii.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 08:34:09 +0000
Subject: [Baren 4315] Re: lots o'stuff 

Let's see...
  Neat idea about the carbon paper Graham, I just read a related idea,
color in the bevel of the chisel with black permanent marker (it won't
come off in the water) and begin to sharpen. As the black is worn away,
you can check your progress as you sharpen.
  For David's idea of drawing the profile of your chisel edge, a more
compulsive method might be to cut a template of the curve and the bevel
angle into an index card or piece of light plastic for each chisel, then
you can just hold the tip of the chisel in the little cut outs to check
your shape after you sharpen.
  Also to David, I was very fortunate on one of my many visits to Hawaii
before moving here to find a show of the O'Brien collection of Zeshin's
works that the Honolulu Art Academy had just acquired. I went back to
see it a couple of times. His paintings and prints are so individual,
his subjects are portrayed with such warmth and humor, with an apparent
deep compassion for for each subject. On top of that, his brushwork is
amazing, so free and controlled at the same time. And on top of that he
has all those same qualities in his lacquer work, at which he also
excels. I recommend the very good book that was produced for the show,
"The Art of Shibata Zeshin," although I'm not sure if it is still in
print.

  And finally, I was apparently the first person to respond to Mr.
Herperger's offer of his tools, and have purchased them. I'll let you
know what they look like when they arrive, if anyone one is interested.

Jack

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From: Jack Reisland <reislandj001@hawaii.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 09:07:50 +0000
Subject: [Baren 4316] Re: Videos 

Thanks to everyone for your notes, cards and nice comments on the
videos, and especially to David for making it available to us. I have
sent out 23 copies, if you have not received yours yet let me know. I
still have three copies for which I have not received checks. There is
the borrow copy out circulating, let me know if you would like to be
added to the borrow list.

Jack Reisland


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From: "Jeanne N. Chase" <studiojnc@prodigy.net>
Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 16:39:53 -0400
Subject: [Baren 4318] Dave's tape

Michelle, I do believe that you are next on the list to receive the tape. If
anyone else is interested, and it is a wonderful tape, let Jack know.

Just a comment about the first Print Exchange;
As I said previously; I am putting one of the prints up at a time. I am
enjoying them so much and am looking forward to the others as well.
I just took down Phil Bivens print, and it was a joy to look at.
Phil; When you have a chop made does it read your name in Japanese or is it
a motto, or what?  I just had one made and only put my initials in a circle.
Just about ready to put up Dean Brink's print. It will be interesting to
investigate this complex print. I know it will grow on me as it cannot be
ignored.

Another word to Phil;  Am so happy that you are in the third exchange. Will
be looking forward to the next "theme"

A word about chisels and such;
The hardest thing that I can do in printmaking is sharpen knives. what a
task. I have tried everything but still cannot sharpen my knives. I need a
class in "Tool Sharpening 101"

Gayle
Your print of the Hat is on my wall and it is in it's permanent place.
Everytime I look at it , it gives me a chuckle and that is what I like to do
best, besides making prints, that is.

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From: Aqua4tis@aol.com
Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 17:34:45 EDT
Subject: [Baren 4321] Re: Videos 

   i dont always like picassos work       although im very fond of his 
vollard suite       but what i love about him is he never stopped playing and 
experimenting
   i went to the van goigh show again yesterday  and its very interesting to 
see the progression he made       some of the work is really bad        but 
he kept working    a lesson to be learned i think
              thanks georga

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From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com
Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 16:55:04 -0500
Subject: [Baren 4323] re: Exchange critique reply 

Rather than reply to each one that filled out a critique form on my print, I
think I'll just answer to the group.

Thanks to all that participated and that gave me much needed feedback on my
print.  The request went out to only a few of the 30 participants...and it was
only to the first 10 that I found your internet address. If I did not send you a
request and you want to give me some feedback....please....go to:

http://woodblock.com/forum/critique.html

and do the form. Thanks in advance.


Regarding the critiques........ all your comments were well taken.  Just a few
comments here.

I knew the moment I added those PC's that hey were detracting from the major
statement. It was an afterthought that should have never made it to the paper.
The original design had a much larger globe ( 9" diameter vs final size 6") on a
"spider-web" like  background to symbolize the internet.....this proved a bit
difficult to execute and after many tries I looked for other visual
representation of the web, the electronic media, etc........thus the little PC's
and the radiating black lines.  I ran late with my print and once I started to
print the PC's I could not go back. or start over.....they were the second from
last block printed out of eight total. I hate admiting this here....but although
I am somewhat pleased with my print...I know I could have done better.

Yes....many bareners have suggested that rather than print green & blue for the
globe, a yellow for the land would have been more successful. Here is were my
inexperience shows. Thank you for the tips.

The baren cover was well executed IMHO. I did not want total representation but
rather the suggestion of the bamboo texture. I liked how it turned out. I did
not use paste with the dark color in order to get that rough texture. Also
different pressure was applied to the baren at different spots in order to
obtain an irregular teeling. Overall I was very happy with this portion of the
print.

The radiating black lines were created by gluing very thin wood slats (1/16" x
1/4" x L) on edge unto the block that had the round globe cutout. Because there
were so many of them....I did not have many problems with the paper dropping
within the "islands". I guess I had more problems applying paint to such a thin
slat of wood and obtaining the same results from slat to slat and print to
print.

The little barens inside the PC's were again an add-on to an existing block. I
used material from wood dowels to cut a 1/4 inch long  piece of round "baren".
Then using a Dremel tool I cut the inside shape to "attempt " to give it a baren
grip-like look to the inside. So much work....that was really not needed.....
The big problem....was that I glued these little shortened dowels unto the
block. About 1/2 way thru the printing some of them started to move around (did
I ever hear of waterproof glue!)and had to be reglued. Thus some of the little
barens are off center. Dave and others suggested rather than glue....I could
have drilled a hole unto the block and inserted the dowels securely. Great idea
!

I left two of the edges of the paper et. natural...and cut the opposite two.
This was done on purpose...to symbolize...
something.....western vs. japanese ? new vs old ?....traditional vs. modern...I
guess I just wanted to do it!

>From the start I wanted to create a print that somehow expressed my feelings
about the Baren group and what we have grown into. I think I was somewhat
succesful in that respect.

I have certainly learned a few things from these critiques, Thanks to everyone
and please keep the critiques coming !

JULIO {:-)

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 16:00:21 -0700
Subject: [Baren 4324] Re: lots o'stuff 

>  And finally, I was apparently the first person to respond to Mr.
>Herperger's offer of his tools, and have purchased them. I'll let you
>know what they look like when they arrive, if anyone one is interested.

That's it...... we can never be friends.  (<;;;;;

Graham

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Thu, 06 May 1999 08:37:39 +0900
Subject: [Baren 4325] Re: lots o'stuff 

Jack wrote, re Zeshin's work:
> His paintings and prints are so individual,
> his subjects are portrayed with such warmth and humor ...

They are nifty indeed, and I definitely want to include one in next
year's set.

> I recommend the very good book that was produced for the show,
> "The Art of Shibata Zeshin," although I'm not sure if it is still in
> print.

It isn't, but I have a copy I found on 'Bibliofind' ...

***

Jack also wrote:
> Thanks to everyone for your notes, cards and nice comments on the
> videos, and especially to David for making it available to us. 

Please - all the thanks are yours Jack; I did nothing!  And thanks for
sending _me_ also a copy of that little booklet - now _that_ little book
is 'above and beyond the call of duty'!

***

Julio posted a response to the critiques on his print:
> Thanks to all that participated and that gave me much 
> needed feedback on my print.

I earlier said that I wasn't too sure if this critique thing would work
or not, but it seems that my doubts were misplaced. Reading through the
critiques now, I see that here is something that _everybody_ can benefit
from.

Where can you find all this stuff?  Starting from the main portal page
at:
http://woodblock.com

... you can read all the critiques and responses on Julio's print by
going to his page in the 'Exchange 99' section, and the critique page
itself can be found by following the 'Administrative Links' section.

I will keep Julio's print up on the critique page until Saturday, and
will then switch it for the next one 'in line', Jean Eger's 'Ruffled
Feathers'.  Three more people are waiting in line at the moment; anyone
else who wants their print put on the critique page, please let me know
(off list ...)

Dave

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From: Phil Bivins <pbivins@mindspring.com>
Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 22:24:30 -0400
Subject: [Baren 4327] Re: Dave's tape 

Jeanne wrote:
>Phil; When you have a chop made does it read your name in Japanese or is it
>a motto, or what? 

Jeanne, I have had several chops made. They are suppose to be my name in 
Chinese, actually. The stones are called soap stones. I believe the modern 
days ones are probably made with a dremel tool. The soap stone is 
relatively soft, so a dremel tool would make quick work of it. But they are 
beautiful. I can give you an address of a person in California that has 
them made if you like. The price seems to reasonable too. Let me  know. 
Thank you for your kind words.
Phil

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From: Sunnffunn@aol.com
Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 23:24:16 EDT
Subject: [Baren 4328] Re: Baren Digest V7 #550 

what a wonderful and creative idea creating plates from sclupty    thanks for 
sharing the concept     it is magnificent to see all this work and so 
inspiring i would like to thank all who share

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From: Jack Reisland <reislandj001@hawaii.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 22:08:40 +0000
Subject: [Baren 4331] Re: lots o'stuff 

Graham  wrote:
> That's it...... we can never be friends.  (<;;;;;

Aww, gezzz, what can I do to make it up, that is, short of handing over any
tools?

Jack

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End of Baren Digest V7 #554
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