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Message 1
From: "Love Me"
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 12:32:43 +1000
Subject: [Baren 25754] Progress of a Newbie
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Ploughing along happily. I spent yesterday printing up my third print, a chuban yoko-e landscape print www.http://members.ozemail.com.au/~lovememusic/ As Barbara advised me, most printing mistakes are due to too much mix on the block and in the brush. Of 30 prints, I lost only 3 to blots. In my last print I lost at least half. I have also learnt that some blots can be washed off, if they are not pressed in. So, all in all, I am a very happy printer.

In the carving, I have not yet found jewellers rouge, but I have been told that valve-grinding paste on plate glass may be even better than rouge on leather. I have bought a honing jig, a little wheelie thing that rolls along keeping the grinding angle consistent, this has improved my sharpening immensely. I also bought a fine grade 6" diamond block for the courser grinding, which is great cause it stays flat.
My carved lines are now much finer. The birch ply I am using does chip off now and then, so I fix little nicks with epoxy.

I have also found a way of getting designs out of my computer onto the block. Using tissue and contact adhesive I am able to print out the hanshita, I then remove the tissue from the backing, flip it over refix, and then paste onto the block. Remove the backing immediately and pat out any air bubbles. This way the water-soluble printer ink stays out of the nori and all lines remain perfectly sharp. I use a runny paste and brush it out very thin.

So, I think I am over the most frustrating stages. Which means I will soon need more washi. I have the Baren mall sample book and I think I like the natural and unlined papers best. I have tried the Mawata light and Shioji, these being the two cheapest 100% kozo papers. To my surprise I found the Shioji better in most regards. It is slightly heavier and much stronger to print on. It seems to have more sizing. I am trying to decide whether I should stick with Shioji for now, or is there some other alternative I should try?

It's all a lot of fun and not so daunting now.

Tom in Australia

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Message 2
From: "Richard Farrel"
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 21:52:54 -0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Subject: [Baren 25755] sharpening tools
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>re.....
>In the carving, I have not yet found jewellers rouge, but I have been told
>that valve-grinding paste on plate glass may be even better than rouge on
>leather. I have bought a honing jig, a little wheelie thing that rolls along
>keeping the grinding angle consistent, this has improved my sharpening
>immensely. I also bought a fine grade 6" diamond block for the courser
>grinding, which is great cause it stays flat.
>My carved lines are now much finer. The birch ply I am using does chip off
>now and then, so I fix little nicks with epoxy.

Tom...
Besides printmaking I work as a jeweler, and can help with names of
suppliers for the product needed to get the ultimate edge. Sorry I
cannot even begin to concentrate putting the info together on this post.
Just in from a wildland fire and out again tomorrow. 15hrs a day
yep burnt out. But over the next few days I will put out a post on anther
form to find suppliers in your country and post here the products and
suppliers. Hope this helps. Some amazing products out there to make this
chore easy.
Richard Farrell
Rafar#telus.net

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Message 3
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 23:01:29 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Baren 25756] Re: Progress of a Newbie
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Tom,
You should eventually try the Yamaguchi-san paper or the Iwano-san paper from the baren mall. These are the two best papers available for Japanese woodblock. The paper from Yamaguchi-san is about 16x20 inches and the paper from Iwano-san is about 18x24". Both are excellent. You can read about both men on the mall pages. This paper is expenxive, so measure carefully for the sizes you need and buy accordingly. You do not want to waste any. You will find as your skill improves you will love the better paper. The paper from Iwano-san is the one David Bull uses and I think he has a lot in reserve as Iwano-san is not young! We wish him a very, very long life! It is a sad fact that the young men in Japan do not seem to be interested in making paper so we do worry about future supplies.....but I will worry later as it is late and I am tired!
Best to you,
Barbara, mall manager

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