Category
Juried Art - 2-D
Description
For this printmaking series I wanted to depict various animals in everyday jobs that humans may have. Rather than illustrating the piece, I wanted to utilize the printmaking techniques I learned to create a unique and whimsical work of art. My question became, what printmaking techniques could I combine to give me the most interesting and effective design possible? I knew I wanted to utilize pops of color in my piece, but to do that, I would need to use two printmaking blocks for each animal. I began by researching how other artists utilize two blocks to create multiblock pieces. I used that inspiration and began sketching ideas. I drew the animal’s body as one color, and the props/clothing that signify the occupation as another color. In sketching these ideas out, I realized that the page would be very empty without something to occupy the background. That is when I came up with the idea to use suminagashi, a printing technique that involves dipping paper into a bin of water filled with floating patterns of ink. Once I had my ideas, I began by measuring and cutting the paper I would be using. I chose to use a mix of Rives BFK paper, tan paper, as watercolor paper to see how effectively the suminagashi performed on each medium. Once the paper was prepared, I began using brushes, one filled with ink and the other with water to repel the ink, to create the ink patterns I would dip my paper in. After each piece of paper was dipped, I set them on a cloth to remove excess water before hanging them to dry on the wall. I had to do this step early in the process to ensure the paper had time to dry and then be pressed flat. Now that my paper had been taken care of, I began carving my blocks. I had to ensure that the blocks were the exact same time, and that I took caution in my carving as to ensure the design would print correctly. To line them up correctly, I used tracing paper to create the design on each block. Once they were fully carved and test printed for quality, I moved over to my suminagashi paper. I printed each first block, the colorful clothes, first. After a few days of drying, I printed the second block. It took a few tries before it aligned correctly, but I was finally able to produce consistent and crisp results. In completing this project, I learned that creating a 3-step print takes a lot of time and patience, but if you do take the time to plan out your design, using multiple printing techniques opens the door to complex and visually experimental designs that takes your piece to the next level. I would love to continue experimenting with this series and create more animals in different occupations!
Animals in Occupations
Juried Art - 2-D
For this printmaking series I wanted to depict various animals in everyday jobs that humans may have. Rather than illustrating the piece, I wanted to utilize the printmaking techniques I learned to create a unique and whimsical work of art. My question became, what printmaking techniques could I combine to give me the most interesting and effective design possible? I knew I wanted to utilize pops of color in my piece, but to do that, I would need to use two printmaking blocks for each animal. I began by researching how other artists utilize two blocks to create multiblock pieces. I used that inspiration and began sketching ideas. I drew the animal’s body as one color, and the props/clothing that signify the occupation as another color. In sketching these ideas out, I realized that the page would be very empty without something to occupy the background. That is when I came up with the idea to use suminagashi, a printing technique that involves dipping paper into a bin of water filled with floating patterns of ink. Once I had my ideas, I began by measuring and cutting the paper I would be using. I chose to use a mix of Rives BFK paper, tan paper, as watercolor paper to see how effectively the suminagashi performed on each medium. Once the paper was prepared, I began using brushes, one filled with ink and the other with water to repel the ink, to create the ink patterns I would dip my paper in. After each piece of paper was dipped, I set them on a cloth to remove excess water before hanging them to dry on the wall. I had to do this step early in the process to ensure the paper had time to dry and then be pressed flat. Now that my paper had been taken care of, I began carving my blocks. I had to ensure that the blocks were the exact same time, and that I took caution in my carving as to ensure the design would print correctly. To line them up correctly, I used tracing paper to create the design on each block. Once they were fully carved and test printed for quality, I moved over to my suminagashi paper. I printed each first block, the colorful clothes, first. After a few days of drying, I printed the second block. It took a few tries before it aligned correctly, but I was finally able to produce consistent and crisp results. In completing this project, I learned that creating a 3-step print takes a lot of time and patience, but if you do take the time to plan out your design, using multiple printing techniques opens the door to complex and visually experimental designs that takes your piece to the next level. I would love to continue experimenting with this series and create more animals in different occupations!
Comments
Undergraduate - 1st Place & Peoples' Choice Award Winner