Printmaking Playtime

Printmaking Press that I am using at the Gertrude Institute of Art

 Simple sketch for carving practice. 

Getting in some much needed creative time.  I have a couple of new printmaking books that I purchased, and look forward to trying some of the projects.  Being no stranger to softoleum (or soft-block) carving, I decided to try something different to change things up......carving on linoleum.  For starters, I purchased Golden-Cut linoleum online from Dick Blick. Hobby Lobby had some of the battleship gray linoleum.  It was calling my name. *smile*  The first one that I experimented with is the Golden Cut.  Before starting my new project, I decided to get the feel of the linoleum by carving patterns on a spare piece.  Not bad!

Ink brayers and barens

Of course, it was firmer than softoleum, but not too firm.  No doubt, a tad bit easier to carve than the battleship grey.  To the above right is a quick sketch that I did for carving practice. The proportions of the sketch is not correct...but ya' know what, I'm letting it go.  I am more interested in hopping in and getting started with the skill and practice of carving than I am in erasing and redrawing the sketch. You choose your battles.  Will post a picture of the results when I am finished with the carving and printing.  This is going to be fun! :-)
---------------

Here are a few printmaking books that are my faves!

Art Stamping Workshop by Gloria Page  (Awesome book for getting started in relief printmaking)
The Printmaking Bible by Ann Hughes and Hebe Vernon-Morris
The Complete Printmaker by John Ross
Printmaking + Mixed Media by Doris Elisha
Print Workshop:  Hand-Printing Techniques and Truly Original Projects by Christine Schmidt
The Woodcut Artist's Handbook by George A. Walker and Barry Moser
Simple Printmaking by Gwen Diehn