What a month...still, we perservere

Work...beyond crazy. So I do what I can when I can.

First, here is my first print with real block printing ink from my first linoleum block:

Pretty much a mess. The next prints were worse; the ink got really thick and nasty. Impossible to use. I've since learned that there is an extender that thins and rehydrates the ink, but it also makes it somewhat transparent. I'd better get some and see how it works. But I was wondering...if this is water-based ink, why can't I just add some water? It's worth a try, but I think if it were that easy I would have seen someone suggesting it. No one has.

Tonight I cleaned the block up a bit and printed with stamp ink, since that's what I have. The one on the left was printed by putting the block on the paper and pressing down with my hand. The one on the right was printed by putting the block down face up, laying the paper over it, and rubbing the paper with a wooden spoon.

The spoon print transferred more ink, but less evenly. I can see that this is going to take a lot of practice. Also, now that I look closer, I see that I need to keep in mind that it takes longer than expected for the ink to dry. The smears on the purple images are actually ink left on the glass pane of the scanner when I repositioned my sketchbook.

I'm really loving carving the blocks, though! I didn't expect to. What a great surprise. I'm inspired to make more. Lots more.

~ ~ ------------ ~ ~

 Is there more to say?

Already the half moon sinks

You know what to do.

first linoleum block

                                                       from:

over my shoulder:

"what kind of mushroom is that?"

"imaginary."