Almost Summer, and I'm just finishing a Winter Landscape

It has been a damp, cold Spring around here. Every sunny day brings people outside with a wary smile, and a glance to the sky to see if more trouble is ahead. Yesterday afternoon, after a really pleasant day, a sudden downpour appeared out of nowhere. The sun was still shining! The reward was a full rainbow in the aftermath. Another positive has been lush green lawns, and thriving plants! 

I finished a new reduction block print several weeks ago, and have had all the prints hanging up to dry. The Akua inks that I use tend to stay tacky for a while if I have a lot of layers. I had been wanting to make this print, as the image has the elements that I like; stones, browns and grays, and a variety of natural textures. Below is one of the final prints from an edition of 14.

Winter Stonewall  6" x 9" Block Print

I will include some images that show the progression of reduction process.

pencil sketch

tan layer

carving the block

                                                              darker brown layer

Materials I used include a Soft Kut block, Akua inks, Arches paper, and a wooden spoon for rubbing the back of the paper.

Until next time....

Jane

Finishing up the Bobcat print!

 I wanted to post the Bobcat print that I've been working on for a while. When it is fully dry, I'll be putting it on my Etsy site, JGTentas. Because of the multiple layers of Akua ink I'm using, it can take longer to dry. Also, I find the consistency of some of the inks tend to be more oily than others, especially the burnt umber. You have to stir all the Akua inks thoroughly before using them, as the oil separates from the pigments. It's still my favorite ink because it stays workable for so long, and it cleans up easily with Dawn detergent.

"Bobcat" Reduction Block Print  Limited edition of 16

Looking forward to some warmer temperatures this month, to melt all the ice and snow of February!

Happy Groundhog Day!

 It was sunny this morning, so I believe the groundhog saw his shadow. The tradition forecasts how many more weeks of winter we will have. The way it is going, we're still in for a bit more! January was very chilly with a lot of stretches of bitter cold! I missed being able to take outdoor walks, as the cold often came with very windy days! 

I've been working on the Bobcat block print. After our visit from the gorgeous animal, I was inspired by the colors of the snow, the trees, and the cat itself. There was so much white to carve away, it took a long time to move onto the inking of the blue shadows. The edition is 16 prints, and I do the printing of each, by hand with a wooden spoon or a baren. 

This is the block with white areas carved out

The light blue ink applied

A light first layer

I used a stencil to block out the rest of the block when I focused on the bobcat.

This where I am now. I've printed several layers on the bobcat's body, and one layer of brown on the rest of the image. I have a few darker areas to add to the fur and eyes, as well as some variations in the branches. 

The next step will be the carving away of most of the bobcat, leaving only the darkest spots for inking.

I'll update when there is more to show! Have a good week! And stay warm!

Happy New Year!!

 Looking out the window on a rainy New Year's Day 2025. Thank goodness we had fresh snow for Christmas, which made the day even more traditionally festive! We even had a special visitor to our yard.

A Bobcat

 Attracted by the bird feeder activity

A big yawn and stretch before leaving

                                                                

I hope we will have another sighting of this beautiful animal! 

Now that the holidays are over, I will be looking for inspiration for my next printmaking project. I may try one incorporating the bobcat, as the white snow makes for a nice contrast. We have also had bluebirds at the feeders again this year, and their colors are so striking.

While I get ready to take down the Christmas tree, and put away decorations, I wish good health and happiness to all in the new year! 

The Finished Rocks! N. Hampton Beach Print

 Good news! I finished the "Rocks on N. Hampton Beach this week. Yesterday I added another blended layer of blue to the sky. The rocks were so dark in value, and very detailed, while the sky needed more "pop" to stand out. I am happy with the final version!

The finished print in a 13" x 15" double mat.

We are enjoying a nice spell of mild weather here in New England. The temperatures have been in the 70s for over a week. There are a couple of cooler days ahead, then back to the warmth through Halloween. Great to get the last of the yard and garden work done!

Rocks on North Hampton Beach

 Summer is officially over, and I'm working on a new print inspired by the many walks I've taken on North Hampton Beach this year. I loved seeing the cairns that people would build precariously on the rocks at the end of the beach.

The beginning stages of carving out the lightest areas.

One layer of ink on the rocks, then a blended sky. I used Akua inks, Arches paper and a Soft-Kut block.

 

Adding the water. (I used a stencil to separate the rocks from the sky)

Adding some texture to the water.

Adding a bit more value to the rocks, as well as a cooler tone to some areas.

As of today, this is the state of the block. Spent quite a few hours carving away the various textures on the rocks. The next and final inking will hopefully define the darkest shadows on all the rocks.

This block is 8" x 10" and will be a hand-printed edition of 12. I'm looking forward to posting the finished image very soon!

Jane

August Art

 How can it be August already? The summer is flying by! We recently returned from a week at the beach, and had a great time, especially since the temperatures have been very high, as well as the humidity!

I took a lot of photos, and tried to get some new images that I can use for  my next block prints. 

The last print I made in my series of shells and other sea creatures, is completed in time for the Uncommon Art on the Common show tomorrow.

Sketch, stencil, and print

I used an Arches paper, Akua inks, and a baron to hand print this small edition of 14 prints.

Stay cool!

Jane