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Message 1
From: Rozemarijn Oudejans
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 13:31:15 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43362] Re: help
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Hi Jeanne,

Maybe try printing on thinner paper? I always use Rives 180 grs and it works fine with (Graphic Chemical) oil-based relief ink.
Or roll more ink on your block and make sure you use a soft roller, so you get more ink in all the deeper spots.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Rozemarijn

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Message 2
From: Hannah Skoonberg
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 13:56:03 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43363] Re: help
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Sometimes oil based ink can have some consistency problems especially if you
are working with old ink. And hand printing might not be giving you enough
pressure. In the past I have had to modify ink to get the proper viscosity.
Are you having no problem printing the other colors? just the black? You may
need to loosen your ink up with a few drops of oil if it isn't covering your
block properly. Or is the problem only in the printing? I have a couple of
linoleum blocks that were consistently problematic when I try to print them
black. For no clear reason. I was able to solve this with a heavy dose of
rubber based ink. (which is used for letterpress and has a higher pigment
concentration) I second the damp paper suggestion and for western paper you
probably have to soak it for a while and then pat it dry with a towel before
printing. One other thing if you think your tube of black is the problem.
Then mix a new black from your other colors.
Good luck!
Hannah

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Message 3
From: Ruth Egnater
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 14:40:45 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43364] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V55 #5622 (May 18, 2011)
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To Jeanne Chase, I am a new member and havent even introduced myself to the group but your trouble with the BFK and oil based ink reminds me of a print I had done a few years back in a class and even the instructor was frustrated. The BFK has never printed well for me,even with a press, without soaking it for over 20 minutes,45 minutes is usually my minimum. The reason my print wasnt successful:the ink was bad. Not old, just went bad. Have you tried another tube to see if thats the case? I know there is something yummy about the thickness of the paper you are using, but have you tried a lighter/thinner paper just to see if that could be part of the problem with getting a grainy image? I would have a hard time transferring an image with BFK and spoon. I dont even try BFK without my press anymore. If your wood is very pourous, maybe you could use something to make the wood less greedy with your paint. Just for your own sanity, try a lighter ,thinner paper that you have at hand and see if that alone doesnt solve your problem. Good Luck, Ruth Egnater

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Message 4
From: Ruth Egnater
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 14:57:40 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43365] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V55 #5622 (May 18, 2011)
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I would like to introduce myself to the Baren group. My name is Ruth Egnater and printmaking is one of my favorite ways to create images. I am presently trying to find a satisfying way to use water based inks with collographs and will thin move on to other types of blocks. I have just retired and have time to work on projects that I never had before. I am looking forward to getting to know more printmakers and producing a body of work. At some point I will saddle myself with a challenge to create a designated number of prints within a certain time frame but for now i am just trying to adjust to retirement. Another member encouraged me to join this group to make contact of the 4th kind with other printmakers. Soooooo, Hi. Now I am no longer just a lurker.

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Message 5
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 15:04:38 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43366] Re: help
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Sand the block lightly and seal with a mixture of spar varnish and thinner, 1/2
and 1/2
That might get rid of the graininess and the voids. Sometimes wood just does
this...also usually grainy prints with oil based inks usually mean not enough
pressure. Try thinning your ink a bit with plate oil and maybe printing it twice
to get good coverage.
You can figure this out...do the ink thinning thing first in case that solves
it. Two thin coats will always be better than one thick one
Go go for it Jeanne
my very best to you
Barbara

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Message 6
From: Graham Scholes
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 15:50:39 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43367] Re: help
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It is be better if you sanded the block 320 gr paper after the 50/50 varnish routine is dry.

Graham

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Message 7
From: Graham Scholes
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 15:55:54 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43368] Re: help
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Oops... should have added the importance of using a sanding block....

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Message 8
From: Sharri LaPierre
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 18:05:19 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43369] Re: help
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Jeanne,
Good for you! Ready to print already and I'm still lumping along.
However, I will be printing the third color today - only two to go
after that! I've used the Dan Smith waterbase relief ink, I assume
that is what you are using, too. I printed on Sommerset Satin and
that worked very well. Maybe the paper is the problem, rather than
the ink. Generally, I like to print on damp paper - that will help
get every last bit of that ink off the block. (I also used an etching
press - maybe the spoon won't do the job. A ballbearing baren
probably would work better - if you don't have one, and don't want to
buy one, I could lend mine to you. Let me know.)

Happy printing,
Sharri

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Message 9
From: "Jeanne Norman Chase"
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 18:33:07 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43370] Thanks
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Wow, Nothing like all the wonderful people on the Baren , ready and willing to help other Bareners.

I have been doing everything wrong;
Using a can of black relief ink that has been sitting for about 3 years and just enough on the bottom to use.
Using dry paper.
Not using any damar varnish or thinners to paint on the wood.

So this morning I sanded and coated the wood with the varnish and ordered some fresh ink (hope it comes in time)

I also cut some thinner paper, some kitakata which I usually use in my woodblock printing.

Graham, Sharrie, Barbara, Ruth, Hannah, Rosemaryn, Mark and Viza; taking your advice!!!!!!!!!!

Jeanne

PS. I have a press and have been reluctant to use it for block printing.

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Message 10
From: pejnolan # frontier.com
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 19:22:51 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43371] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V55 #5622 (May 18, 2011)
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Does anyone recognize the artist? All that is known is that they were purchased in Austria during World War 11. There is a matching pair, both with what look like metallic hats. One has a puppy, the other has a kitten. Let me know! Thank you for your assistance!

Image #1: chop mark:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/5734622106/in/photostream

Image #2: print (sorry it is so blurry)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/5734621128/in/photostream

Sincerely,
Erin Nolan
www.erinknolan.com

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Message 11
From: Darrell Madis
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 20:00:34 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43372] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V55 #5622 (May 18, 2011)
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You might try asking here: http://www.asianart.com/phpforum/


Madis Arts

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Message 12
From: David Bull
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 22:27:19 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43373] Re: Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 07:27:10 +0900
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> Does anyone recognize the artist?

It's Kawase Hasui:
http://www.ukiyoe-gallery.com/hasuidollprints.htm

Dave

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Message 13
From: Graham Scholes
Date: Wed, 18 May 2011 23:03:29 GMT
Subject: [Baren 43374] Re: Thanks
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On 2011-05-18, at 11:32 AM, Jeanne Norman Chase wrote:
> PS. I have a press and have been reluctant to use it for block printing.


You have just won a hug and hand shake for being such a good gal....

Graham

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Subject: Umi's Tears
Posted by: Ellen Shipley

This item is taken from the blog Pressing-Issues.
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