My #4 print is untitled and of course a B&W
self-portrait. It is my first rookie attempt at a reduction print and
thus the woodblock was 'destroyed' in the process. After considering
many options (Julio at work, Julio on his baseball uniform, Julio
working with kids, Julio as a ....never mind!) I ended up choosing a
closeup mug shot taken last year.
The photo was scanned (blasphemy!) and the image was altered to
arrive at
this.
Yes! A color mug shot. The decision to go to B&W was taken
after showing both a color & B&W version of the image to a
handfull of unbiased volunteers......the vote was 5-0 for the B&W
image ( I am easy!).
The image was
drawn
in reverse unto a thin tracing paper type with alterations taken as
needed. Notice that the bottom right hand corner was originally
farther apart from the main image and later adjusted when
transferring to the block. This was the last remnant of my first idea
I had to make the self-portrait into a 'jig-saw' puzzle style image
with certain pieces or areas of the image 'missing' (the 'hidden'
Julio). You can also see my kento register lines at the bottom of the
drawing ( I am a lefty!).
Here
is the first proof taken from the still unfinished block. Notice the
many comments and marks I made to help me in further carving the
first rough cut. All impressions taken with the Vandercook #2 press.
Here
is an image of the final block after printing the middle-tone for the
35+prints in the edition. Again you can see the kento cuts at the
bottom. The block is birch plywood (3/4" thick, 5 ply) , a small
piece leftover from the making of my son's bedroom set.
And
here
is the first impression on the paper of that middle-tone. The final
tone was double printed (two or three impressions) after the middle
tone areas were carved away. No keyblock or outline lines were used
or intended as I wanted to achieve a somewhat 'loose' effect on the
print. The eyes were left uncarved as a solid color area as a
reminder that "our eyes are the window to our soul"..... again part
of that 'hidden' Julio....wanting to remain somewhat private.
Not a great print but acceptable for a first attempt at reduction.
If you wish to offer some feedback on this print, you may do so
using this form. (Your input may appear later on this page ...)