[Baren} the mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking

Baren Digest              Thursday, 27 April 2000      Volume 11 : Number 990

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From: Wanda <robertson@canby.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 10:36:51 -0700
Subject: [Baren 9521] Oyster shuckers & such 

Gayle Wohlken wrote:
<snip>
>  Oh, I so wanted it to be a little "find" that I could resurrect
> to what I thought was its original cutting glory.

Don't feel too bad, Gayle - it happens to all of us. My husband brought
me a really handy little tool the other day. He found it in his tool box
and thought it would work on my woodcuts. It is a swivel knife for
tooling leather! Should I bring that to bootcamp too? :-)

Wanda

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From: Wanda <robertson@canby.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 10:37:02 -0700
Subject: [Baren 9522] Re: $ 

john ryrie wrote:
> <snip>.
> The Exchange exhibition that I am looking into having in Melbourne (this is
> at least a year away) is in a very prominent position and would have, I
> think at least a million people passing through a month

You know, I think John may be onto something, here. Membership fees
would be difficult (or impossible) for many of our members to come up
with. And I (as well as many others) would hate to lose any of you
because of money.

But - maybe the best way to return the favor of having Baren there for
us is to have a show in your area. Perhaps a computer-related company
(such as Baren)*would*  like to be associated with a project like
John's. The fact still remains: there will be costs involved in such a
project and we need some way to store a little back-log to draw from in
such a case. How about a savings account with donations to Baren-doings?
That way people could donate what they want, when they want, and it
would be available for projects? Would people donate? Or would they take
advantage? 

Let's get as many ideas out on the table as we can.

Wanda

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From: Star324572@aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 13:41:28 EDT
Subject: [Baren 9523] Let me introduce myself 

Hi,

My name is Gemma (18 years old) and im an English student at a Grammar school 
 studying 4 a-levels. One of which is art.

Due to a personal art study which i have to do for my course, i decided to 
look into print making a some depth. I have been looking at Picasso, Kollwitz 
and selected Japanese works. I have had to write 5,000 words on this...but 
shhh dont tell anyone but i really enjoyed doing it.

On my travels researching on the internet i stumbled across your site and 
decided to join the mailing list to recieve what i didnt kow (i knew it would 
be about printing). Lucky for me i think it may be one of my beter mistakes.

In September i will more than likely be going off to University to do 
Typography or Graphic design. 

Anyway just thought i'd say hi!

Gemma

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:15:39 -0100
Subject: [Baren 9525] Re: Let me introduce myself 

Welcome a board  Gemma
(By the way using the word 'board' is a play on words.
I would not want to teach you bad grammar or spelling )

Were do you live.

Graham

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From: Shireen Holman <shireenh@earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 14:27:46 -0400
Subject: [Baren 9526] beginning printing 

Today, for the first time, I've been trying the Japanese method of 
printing. HELP!!!!!!! I'm sure my questions must have been covered 
somewhere before - they're truly beginner problems; I've printed out and 
read pages and pages of the encyclopedia, but I can't seem to find the 
answers to these questions: How do I manage to not print the brush strokes 
that I create when I mix the paste and pigment on the block? I've tried 
using more water and less water, but either way I get brush strokes. Also, 
how do I keep my paper from sticking to the block? Maybe I have too much 
paste? My printing area is 8"x12" and I'm using a blob that's maybe about 
3/8" in diameter. The encyclopedia suggests that it can't hurt if you use 
too much paste, but maybe if you use TOO much? I'm using Japanese paper, 
dampened so it's just damp. The paste is wheat paste, not rice paste. 
Thanks for your help.
Shireen

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From: Star324572@aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 17:10:58 EDT
Subject: [Baren 9527] Re: Let me introduce myself 

Graham, 
I live in Kent in England...nearish to london but far away enough not to get 
the smoke...HEE HEE.

I often vist galleries in London because im only 45 minutes away by train!
Gemma. 

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From: Jack Reisland <reislandj001@hawaii.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:15:03 -1000
Subject: [Baren 9529] Re: beginning printing 

Shireen Holman wrote:

> Today, for the first time, I've been trying the Japanese method of
> printing. HELP!!!!!!! I'm sure my questions must have been covered

As one beginner to another, I sympathize with your troubles. The brush
strokes are not a function of how you print. The brush strokes have to be
eliminated -before- you print. It's a matter of going back over the inked up
block with VERY light stokes of the brush, across the grain of the wood. This
final smoothing does not work if your brush has not been properly prepared.
As for paper sticking to the block, that could be a few things. First, make
sure you are using properly sized paper, unsized will stick no matter what. I
also found that if the paper is too dry, it has more of a tendency to stick.
Also, if the block is too dry, as in the first few prints, it sticks more,
try charging up the block with two or three inkings before the first print.
In my little experience, too much paste does not cause sticking, it just
makes a big mess, and fills in the lines of your carefully carved design. I'm
sure that some of the more experienced printers will be able to give you more
advise, and perhaps correct any errors I may have made.

Jack
Aiea, Hawaii

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 14:18:23 -0100
Subject: [Baren 9530] Re: beginning printing 

Shireen wrote.....
  HELP!!!!!!
>  How do I manage to not print the brush strokes that I create when I 
>mix the paste and pigment on the block? I've tried using more water 
>and less water, but either way I get brush strokes.

As the Giant sleeps in Japan I will endeavour to answer.

My it is so much easier to demonstrate this one.  There are two 
techniques that a important to achieve brushless stroke ink on the 
print.  The first is the amount of rice paste.... and the most 
important is the delicate finishing stroke used on the plate with the 
inking brush. It should be noted that the way the inking brushes has 
been tuned (so to speak) is very important.

Have you see my site......  http://members.home.net/woodblocks/  The 
subjects you are asking about are well covered there with lots of 
details and pictures.  Let me know if you find it explanatory and 
making sense for you.

>  Also, how do I keep my paper from sticking to the block? Maybe I 
>have too much paste? My printing area is 8"x12" and I'm using a blob 
>that's maybe about 3/8" in diameter. The encyclopedia suggests that 
>it can't hurt if you use too much paste, but maybe if you use TOO 
>much? I'm using Japanese paper, dampened so it's just damp. The 
>paste is wheat paste, not rice paste. Thanks for your help.

Sticking to the block with the amount of wheat paste you are using 
would not happen.  What kind of ink?.  When you say sticking can you 
give me a degree. i.e. does it pull the fibres on the surface of the 
paper?  It is important that there is surface tension when lay/drop 
the paper on the plate.  Other wise it would move about when 
burnishing.

Graham


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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 14:30:55 -0100
Subject: [Baren 9531] Re: paper storage 

>Jeanne N wrote.....
>I have never heard of acid free cardboard. Is there some other name for this
>product?  I use cardboard frequently and this would be a great help for me

Acid free mat board works just fine.  It is cardboard in a sense.
There is a backer paper that is acid free as well available from our 
wholesaler. I suppose it would be available at the retail level.  So 
do not no the name of it.
This is a paper that some framers use to protect the artwork from 
coming in contact with non-acid free backing board.  It is the 
cheaper way of framing.  Not recommended.

Graham

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From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 17:17:13 -0500
Subject: [Baren 9533] 1st Biennale of Arts, Cyprus 

Sorry to post three times in one day.......but I forgot to share this info
earlier with the group. Some of you may be
interested in an Art exhibition being held November 3-7 in Nicosia, Cyprus. I
got a package in the mail yesterday.

The package has detailed information I can fax or copy if you are interested. It
looks like is open to painters, sculptors, photographers and "others".  Every
artist can participate with up to five pieces of work ( two for sculptors).
Awards will be given out and the participation fee includes catalog, hanging
expenses, videotape and ticket for gala dinner. Admission to the exhibit is
free.

Early Participation Deadline :  June 16, 2000
Cost:  $850.00  ( 5 works)     $750 ( 2 works)

Standard Participation Deadline: September 30, 2000
Cost:  $1125.00 ( 5 works )   $1025 (2 works)

Accomodations at nearby hotels are available at a wide range of prices.

If anyone is interested, let me know....Julio
ps. The above is not a joke, is a real event!  By the way.......there is also a
video of the Skokie Exhibit available
for anyone interested.......next year Sharen and I will add a dinner to the
Skokie festivities....

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From: Wanda <robertson@canby.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 15:40:53 -0700
Subject: [Baren 9534] Re: beginning printing 

Shireen wrote:
? I'm using Japanese paper,
> dampened so it's just damp. The paste is wheat paste, not rice paste.
> Thanks for your help.

What kind of paper, Shireen? There is a lot of "Japanese" paper out
there, and believe me, all Japanese paper is not suitable for Hanga.
Most people try to use Hosho - professional or student- and lovely paper
it is - but it is *not* sized. Which makes a huge difference in the
handling & absorbency of the water-based printing inks. 

Getting a good paper education myself!

Wanda

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From: Walter Mahoski <wmahoski@nycap.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 22:08:25 -0400
Subject: [Baren 9537] New Participant 

Hello,

My name is Walt Mahoski. I stumbled onto your web site via a random
search a few days ago, and have been enjoying it very much. I am an art
teacher in Upstate New York.

I began woodblock printing by taking a class MANY years ago in college.
I abandoned it until I needed to complete a Masters degree to attain
teacher certification. The masters program I selected required me to
focus on a specific studio area (my undergraduate school encouraged art
education majors to take a wide variety of courses, rather than focus).
I remembered how much I liked the woodblock printing class, so I decided
to focus my energies there.

After completing my degree, I again fell away from printmaking until
very recently. My main subject are wildlife inspired, and I choose to
use either basswood, clear pine, or poplar. I use a very limited number
of tools, most often just a matt knife and a simple gouge. My woodblocks
are intricately cut in an attempt to produce finely detailed prints. My
primary influence has been the work of Leonard Baskin. I hope to be
putting up a website soon with some examples of my work. I will let you
all know when I've gotten it done.

I am thrilled to be with you, and I hope to learn a lot. Thanks for
having me.

Walt

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From: B Mason <bemason@concentric.net>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 20:28:41 -0700
Subject: [Baren 9539] new blood 

Welcome to Walt and Gemma, so nice to have you both on the list. walt, I
too really like Leonard Baskin's work. I have a book called the Raptors
and the images are truly wonderful! I will be anxious to see your work
using your mat knife! Are you printing with oil or water based pigment?
I have been carving for only one year and still feel like I am doing it
with my feet instead of my hands. I did a print using poplar and it was
not too bad to carve, but my work is fairly loose. Think I would need a
harder wood to get those wonderful lines Dave Bull is so good at.
Barbara

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From: Walter Mahoski <wmahoski@nycap.rr.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 00:17:49 -0400
Subject: [Baren 9540] Re:new blood 

Barbara,

The last prints I completed were done with oil based inks. Right now, I
have four wood blocks that I have finished carving and are awaiting ink.
I am finding the basswood less suitable for the fine details I desire,
but it cuts SOOOOOO much easier than the poplar.

Walt

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End of Baren Digest V11 #990
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