I set to Thursday evening and printed a first proof off my block. The only space I have at the moment is the kitchen, so lots of newspaper went onto the brand new worksurface! Also I've had this tin of proofing ink for 25 years and I wasn't sure how well it would print. Still, worth a try.
The greaseproof paper protecting the ink was very brittle and I had a job to get ink out of the tin that didn't have any bits of paper in it. It was very stiff to roll out too. Maybe it's time I threw it and got a fresh tin for the next time I print! Anyway, it at least sufficed to give me an idea of how the block was progressing.
I tried one print with a wooden spoon and several with a teaspoon. Not sure which is best, you can feel more with the teaspoon though. This was the best impression I managed. I over-inked for one print and lost the fine line work.
Looking at the proof I need to do some tidying up of the edges of the fur and lighten some patches up. I need to have time to sit and really look at it before I make any more cuts, apart from scorping away the rest of the background. What do you think?
