Birds!

 

Bluebird
3” x 4”
Reduction Relief Print

I did several drawings of birds, with the idea that I would create more cards to sell at my show in October. When I set to making the drawings into relief prints, I didn’t fully think it through, as the time it took to create two of the pieces couldn’t realistically be offset by the price per card. Hmmm – live and learn, I guess. Despite that, I was happy with the results and as always, learned something in the process. 

 

On "Bluebird", I used the reduction process. With this method, you destroy all but your last color plate in the process. While it saves on linoleum plates, it’s less forgiving than using separate plates for each color. This was a limited edition of only 10 final cards.

Western Flycatcher
3” x 4”
Relief Print

 

Next, I created “Western Flycatcher”. For this piece, I carved separate plates for each color, so I can reprint this image again if I wish. I decided to get fancy and mounted the prints on black paper. Then, I tied white paper to the inside with embroidery thread. A delightful result, but impractical in terms of the time spent assembling each card.

 

Hey, Crow!
4” x 3”
Relief Print

 

“Hey, Crow!”, it was a last-minute project. I decided on creating a one-color image that would be more time-efficient. I love this guy! Though I had to carve the image twice before I was happy with the result.

 

Stay tuned for more birds down the road.

Heart Beets

 

Heart Beets

8” x 10”

Reduction Linoleum Block Print

Beautiful beets from the garden! They were very small this year, and I harvested and ate more beet greens than beet roots.

 

This piece was my first effort at the reduction printing process. As I embark on this new technique, I am terrified. It takes careful planning and carving! 

 

How it Works
First, I cut away the areas I want to be white and then print a light base color, which in this case, was a pale yellow. Next, I cut away the portions I want to leave as the base color. This is repeated with each subsequent color. There were six color passes in the final image. The scary part is how easily you can accidentally cut away a chunk that was supposed to be a color you have not yet printed. I speak from experience. Fortunately, I was able to touch it up.

 

Ultimately, with this process you destroy all but your last color plate by the time you finish (in this case, black). So, it results in a limited run of prints. I started with 14 sheets and ended up with 10 prints of this image.

 

Not bad for a first try.