My latest adventure is enrolment in a block printing class at the Seniors’ Centre. Yes, you read that right, Seniors’ Centre…I have entered that realm. But, let’s not dwell on it.
The class has been a good mix of challenge and fun. We started off carving blocks of pine, which I discovered is tricky. Although pine is soft and yields to the sharpness of the tool, it also has a fairly strong grain which does not yield as easily! Well, let’s admit, it doesn’t really yield at all. We’ve now switched to carving on linoleum, and compared to the pine it’s a dream. The carving knife slips through as if carving butter–best to keep it slow though or it will slide on through to where you don’t want a cut, more akin to a hot knife through butter.
After three weeks of carving, we were all anxious to get on with the printing. I think we each had a vision of our piece in print, and of how the rolling on of ink and stamping onto paper would be the easy step. Turns out, it is going to take some practice.
The first big revelation that occurred to each of us at different times: it is relief printing. That means what you leave will pick up the coloured ink, and what you carve away will be the white of the paper. Also, when printed, you will have a mirror image of your design. Even though I knew all of this, I still spent a fair bit of time mindlessly carving a block for an initial stamp that came out white and backwards. Chalk that up to the learning by experimentation method.
The second lesson learned by experimentation, was that in the case of ink, less can be more. The ink needs to be rolled on evenly. Thick enough to print, but thin enough that it doesn’t glop, or fill your carving lines. The sweet spot seems to be different for wood or linoleum, as each has a different absorbency level. Ink loading will definitely take practice.
My best piece of the week, in my mind, was to be a pine carving of tree silhouettes, with a beautiful moon peeking through. I planned a deep inky blue, with a bit of black to darken up the scene. The bright white moon would illuminate the thready tree branches. It did not go as planned, but then things rarely do. I’ve debated posting it here, wanting to wait only to show ‘perfect pieces’, but I’ve decided to show the works in progress so you can see what not to do.
My first print run was a disappointment. Black, as I now recall, has to be added very sparingly or it will take over. The ink can’t be too thick or it will fill your carving and leave glops. The ink can’t be too thin or paper will show through in the wrong spots. The weight of lines is emphasized when seen in print. And of course, the print will be in relief and mirror image.
“Back to the drawing board,” as they say. I headed off to the sink to wash my carved block, so I could start again and spare the black.
Then some magic started to happen. As the water ran over the mucky mess, the rinse water revealed the most beautiful colours! I immediately stopped rinsing, and decided to go rogue. I lightly patted the wet block and then flipped it onto a fresh piece of paper. I had no idea what would happen. It could be too wet and turn the paper to a soggy mess. It could be too thin and leave no impression at all. Or, it might be a fabulous surprise! Well…I nearly got the latter. This print was much more interesting. It had some beautiful blues and more shading, but it was a little pale.
Not wanting to admit another defeat, I brought it home, propped it up, stared at it for a while, and then decided to play around with a fine line ink pen. Worse case scenario I could print another one, right?
Well here it is. I think it was a success! I added sketchy lines to define the naked branches and defined some foreground rocks from the ink splotches. When I thought it was finished I took a picture. I like to take pictures of works in progress because it lets me see perspectives and angles I otherwise don’t notice. The first thing that stood out to me in this version was the lovely moon face that appeared. I swear to you, it is not contrived. It is just there, and I love it!
So, as in life, sometimes things don’t go as planned, but they end up better for it!
Your blog is brilliant. Having experienced the class first hand, you have captured the essence of the unexpected with two admirable prints. They will always hold a special place in your heart as mine do.
The same lessons learned only tenfold. 😉
Beautiful! And so much more a product of creative energy than a block print.
You became part of the process