Center: carved wood block. Clockwise from top left: Sumi ink,
pigment dispersions, Baren, brushes, carving tools.
I've been printing all this week, well not all this week, between this and that I've been printing. I pulled almost a hundred Moku Hanga prints. All the work is done by hand; carving, inking and pressing. Printing Moku Hanga is, for me, a tricky balance between water, ink, and pressure. The paper is damp, softened, this helps the ink enter into the paper. It is a different look than other printing which is on top of the paper. The block is also dampened, but not too much, or you'll get a mottling called "goma" or sesame seeds. Too much ink or not enough produces a less than adequate result. Likewise with pressure.......
How does this happen? Funny rabbits playing tricks on me !
I always make a silly topsy turvy mistake and get a print or two or three turned around. Even though it is perfectly simple to get things right, it just happens; mischievous elves (or more likely trickster rabbits ) are about, I suppose. Although not all 100 prints were perfect, a slew of them were not bad; a decent harvest.
Here's small sampling of my print harvest.
Someday I'll be able to keep the margins clean (maybe......)
20 comments:
Mmmmmmmm, Bunny Moku Hanga. My favorite.
I finally found the sticker paper but will be off the grid for a week and a half. When I return I will get right to creating guerilla sticky bun art!
Those are so cool!
I have gotten some pictures printed and about to "stick 'em up" and get pix to post on web-site. Slowly it is happening!
Nice prints!! You can write Chinese? I took some Mandarin lessons, but without constant practice, it's hard for me to remember the characters
Hee hee, tricksy bunnies strike again! Great stuff!
Too good.
I love your work, I think it is beautiful.
I love the results..it reminded me of some vintage prints, so cool and unique. Happy week ahead :D
Very nice! I love the one of the 2 rabbits... ^_^
Ooh ohh, get yourself an etsy shop!
What a great lot of prints :) And I like the wonky ones too!
Thanks for your kind comments everyone. Etsy shop should be up and running soon.....
I want to be in the Sticky Buns constest. My picture is on my blog.
I love the topsy turvy 0nes; it expresses the buns perfectly. I'd definitely be interested in your etsy buns! Also, sticky buns probably a week away--lots of homework to get out of the way first.
Ooh, all the lovely rabbits!
Your prints are beautiful! I actually really like the upside down trickster prints! They kind of make you think. And they look like they could have been intentional. Very neat.
Lovely prints. Great, clean lines. (I miss printing... someday...). I know what you mean by the mandatory topsy-turvy versions. Somethings just can't be stopped. Or helped. :-)
Hurray! More rabbits!
AHA!! i saw your 'avatar' at Elizabeth's blog :D didn't know it was called 'avatar' earlier haaha...
Ah..the rabbits! Maskara gave birth to 6 babies, 1 died...they are all at my mom's place. From 9, then 7, then 5 and now..its increasing..i know..spray them..guess was a bit too late for that! One of my lops, lucille is sick...the doctor said 'maybe' a stroke..she's not eating, not drinking and not moving..so sad :( i didnt know rabbits can have stroke, the silly vet said maybe ear infection and i dont think its heading anywhere!
..but the babies definitely will be put up for adoption....
hope you are having a good week, hugs :D
Thanks for the kind words on my photos :D couldn't have done it without a little help from Photoshop hee hee
BTW, we haz Sticky Bun!
those are great - should use some of em for sticky buns - be a neat twist!
Those are awesome! The only artistic talent I have is knitting... if you can call it that!
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