It took me a while to sort out and finish cutting ,but here it is. There are bits I like and bits I'm not happy with, but I'm never totally satisfied with any of my work. I've learned a considerable amount from creating this block, both in cutting and printing. In that, it's been a very positive experience.
Now I've taken the decision to use part of my working week to apply myself to my wood engraving I hope I make faster progress and return the element of creativeness to my working week. My recent educational illustration jobs have been something of a treadmill in their repetitiveness and inflexibility (the sheer amount of it, too has been draining) and I'm feeling stuck in a rut.
So...off to my sketchbook to plan my next block. I still have a maple piece and lots of ideas. Watch this space!
4 comments:
I like the sox, the folds in the pants and the book, especially. How long did it take you? What did you learn?
Hi d.moll,l.ac., Thank you for your kind comments!
I cut the block in odd moments over several weeks; took much longer than it should, which is why I decided to create at least one dedicated wood engraving day out of my working week. When I did manage two whole days engraving, it took shape very quickly.
Learning-wise, I learned the hard way not to judge a block too much till you've taken a proof. The lines on the block can look very different when printed. I took my first proof when I thought I was almost 'there' but the print proved otherwise and it was back to another session of cutting.
I also learned more about inking up the block. I'm still very much a learner and it took me a while to get rid of white specks on the prints without blocking out the details.
This has turned out beautifully Sue - looks so cozy!
Super print Sue, a really lovely atmosphere. Especially getting it done within all that illustration...(sighs heavily with empathy).
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