In my last post, I started demonstrating the process of making a reduction block print of a winter beach scene. I've been working pretty steadily on this print, and I'll take you through from start to finish.
This was the beginning stage of the whole process. The image was transferred from the tracing paper drawing onto the Soft-Kut block, and outlined with a Sharpie marker.
I prepared for the printing of the ink layers by creating a cardboard template that the block would rest in securely. I attached metal "pins" to the template for accurate registration. I cut Rives Light paper into the size I needed, and taped plastic tabs onto each sheet. I also numbered the sheets at this point. This will be an edition of 15 prints.
I decided to do a blue blend layer first that would only be inked in the sky area.
I used Akua Intaglio ink (works great on relief prints as well as intaglio etchings)
This is the first layer hanging up to dry.
A light gray layer is printed over the whole block. I ended up printing an even lighter gray blend over the first one, as I wanted more depth in the clouds, and more variety in the gray values in the clouds.
Some definition in the clouds is beginning to appear. If you look closely you can see different gray values.
The next layer is brown for the rock layers in the foreground.
I cut away some brown areas in the rocks before the next layer.
The next layer is a greenish gray for the water and the sand.
I used masking tape to keep the ink only on the sky, in the next layer, for another gray area of the clouds. I inked the block with the tape in place, then pealed it away to print on the paper.
The image below is after one more darker gray layer in the clouds and the rocks.
The finished print!
Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of the process of reduction block printing.
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