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Message 1
From: Daniel Dew
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 08:07:27 -0500
Subject: [Baren 27412] Re: New Baren Digest (Text) V30 #2993 (Mar 13, 2005)
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I'm sorry, I couldn't resist, please take this as humorous.
Did anyone catch;
"Try using pure grain alcohol"
and the name of the studio?
"HIGH STREET STUDIO"


Daniel L. Dew

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Message 2
From: ArtfulCarol # aol.com
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 08:06:14 EST
Subject: [Baren 27413] Re: Deja Vu Tools
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Ehud wrote:
http://tinyurl.com/5mx5r
Ehud, years ago I bought that Set of 5 tools from Lee Valley and was very
happy with them. I agree with Barbara.
Make sure ,though, if you are a leftie, that the To has the bevel is on the
correct side. When I once ordered the To for a left handed carver the
company simply added another bevel on the other side and I wound up with 2
bevels..

Wishing you enjoyable carving!!
Carol L.
NY

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Message 3
From: Jan Telfer
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 21:44:03 +0800
Subject: [Baren 27414] Re: Baren Digest (old) V30 #2994
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Dear Ehud,

> Thanks for the heads up re printmakers in my area. I have already been
> offered help by Barbara who does not live that far away (about 1000 k.)

Barbara is teerrrrrrific...you are lucky to live so close.
Graham too.
>
> I am not going to be able to take any formal printmaking classes until
> I get
> further in my photo diploma. First one than the other.

I am combining my photography, calligraphy and my woodblock
printing...... and carving and printing them and am currently using my
woodblocks in a mixed media content..... have an exhibition coming up
in October so am keeping prettty busy!
>
> There seems to be quite a printmaking community in Australia.

Yes we do but with the advent of computers we aren't so isolated any
more!.

> Comes up in
> books and resources I have been looking at. My wife lived in Canberra
> before moving to Canada so we have a little bit of an Australian
> connection
> though I have never been there. Rebecca's accent is a challenge for
> people
> because she did her early elementary education in England, her middle
> elementary education in Australia and her high school in Canada. I
> think
> her accent is quite nice.

Very good cultural experience and upbringing!!
>
> In my
> classroom we work with an OT, a PT, a Vision teacher as well as
> specialists
> in deafblindness. It keeps us busy.

You are definitely in good company!!
>
> And, to make sure that there is enough printmaking content, I will be
> buying
> a new set of mushroom handled chisels from Lee Valley Tools on
> Wednesday.
> Then after the conference I will buy some wood.

I have straight handled ones which I find easier to manipulate but have
used the mushroom handled ones for lino cutting and wood engraving.
>
> A question though, is the Speedball Block Printing Ink OK for beginning
> with? I can buy that quite close to home.

I don't use Speedball inks because I can't get them here, but many
others on Baren use them regularly...you may like to experiment with
different brands, depending on your weather conditions.
>
> Ehud
>
> PS: My friends call me Oody which is to Ehud as Johnny is to John.

What would you like to be called besides late for dinner?
>
> PPS: I don't think I can go back to University for a while. I have a
> B.A.
> double major in History and Anthropology, a B. Ed. in Secondary
> Education (Social Sciences and History), and a Diploma in Special
> Education.
> I used to think I would like a Masters in something but I am not sure
> now.
> I might be happier taking an "apprenticeship" in the arts -
> photography and
> printmaking instead.

wow..... I think you are overqualified to cut and print woodblocks, but
you are certainly in good company in this group because you would be
surprised at the depth of knowledge that Baren Members could rustle up
together...... it would make any University campus shiver in their
shoes!!

Nice to have you with us in Baren Ehud.

Jan

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Message 4
From: Cucamongie # aol.com
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 08:58:59 EST
Subject: [Baren 27415] carving tools
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Ehud, I used the set of five carving tools which you sent when I started out
w/hanga, and they were fine, I still use them from time to time. However, if
you get more into it, you will probably want at least a larger tool for
clearing wood, I think the Japanese name is Soai Nomi. McClain's definitely carries
them and I don't know if the Baren mall does or not. This is a rather pricey
purchase though so you're best off trying the small tools and see how it
goes. Perhaps there's a cheaper version of this type of tool which is good for
beginners, any ideas you hanga folks out there?
best wishes
Sarah

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Message 5
From: FurryPressII # aol.com
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 10:29:27 EST
Subject: [Baren 27416] Re: carving tools
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The larger carving tools sold by this company also work for carving out
larger spaces. The English tools are cheaper than the Japanese ones and work just
as well. So for a beginner it would be a good thing to buy the English
carving set. Later you might get addicted and have to have every known tool out
there and then some. Lee Valley has every western wood carving tool out there
and some of the Japanese tools as well.

I love the steel on the quality Japanese wood cut tools only wish they
came with western handles as I don't like the Japanese style handles. I was
thinking of see how the small "v" would work with a wood engraving handle.

john c.

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Message 6
From: DADI # aol.com
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 10:46:57 EST
Subject: [Baren 27417] Introduction
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Hello Barren members, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Dale
Phelps, I am a student at University of Northern Iowa in the BFA program in
printmaking, scheduled to finish in December of this year. I am also a retired
orthopedic surgeon. My primary area of interest within printmaking is relief and I
have done most of my work with a press. I set up a studio in my basement this
summer with a new Takach hand operated etching press. I have done some etching
at home using non toxic ground, Future and Z*Acryl with mixed results. I am
trying to use all water soluble inks and am in the process of experimenting
with different brands. I have done hand rubbed wood blocks for 30 yrs for
Christmas cards using a Speedball barren and Speedball ink, but haven't tried the
more sophisticated Japanese print making methods. I have enjoyed the links in
Barren to various art work as well as the printmaking information accorded by
your site.

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Message 7
From: Bette Norcross Wappner
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 10:53:00 -0500
Subject: [Baren 27418] Re: Introduction
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Dear Dale Phelps,
I extend my warm welcome to you. Its wonderful for you to be completing
your printmaking degree and especially in my home state of Iowa. I grew
up in Newton and lived and worked in Des Moines. We have several Baren
members who live in Iowa as well. Do you have your prints online for us
to view? Look forward to reading more of your posts.
Best regards,
Bette Wappner
northern Kentucky

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Message 8
From: "marilynn smih"
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 07:56:21 -0800
Subject: [Baren 27419] RE: Baren Digest (old) V30 #2994
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Ehud, I have the first set of Japanese carving tools. I love them. I also
have a set with the shorter wooden knob like handles I bought when first
doing liinoblock prints. I like the longer handles the Japanese set have.
I found the short knobby handles put my hand to sleep when putting any
pressure on them. As for the blades being short, if you sharpen them with a
leather strop instead of a stone they will not loose as much metal as
quickly and will service you very well. I got mine locally in the Portland
Oregon area as well as the strop. They were called power grip and most here
do recommend them as a good set for the money.

Oh off subject, Carol Baker and Aimee Andrea from Gustavas says hi.
Marilynn

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Message 9
From: pulpfic # sunshinecable.com
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 08:23:21 -0800
Subject: [Baren 27420] Re: Tool Choices.
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Ehud wrote:
>Hi everyone,
>
>I was looking at the Lee Valley Tools catalogue and would like an opinion
>about these two tool sets:
>
>Japanese Detail Carving Tools (set of 5) http://tinyurl.com/5mx5r and
>
>And Block Cutters (set of 6) http://tinyurl.com/423vj.

Hi Ehud,

I have and use the block cutting set (57D01.01). I also use the tiny tools
in the detail carving set (57D03.10). For most of my blocks I use tools
from both of these sets.

For larger work (I work mostly quite small) I have the cheap Japanese
Carver's Set (58D00.05). The skew chisel in this set is made the right way
around so I can use it as a left-handed toh, which was the main reason I
chose this set instead of the Japanese set you mentioned.

I use mostly Speedball water-based inks in my prints. Avoid the orange and
the magenta - they fade - but all the other colours are lightfast. You may
want to get some of the transparent ink extender to go with these inks -
there's a lot more possible with Speedball than just using the inks
straight out of the tubes. I use about four to ten times _more_ extender
than pigmented ink for a full range of colour depth and transparency.

I think you already have enough letters to put after your name; just dig in
and make prints!

Have fun,
Randi
--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ms Randi DeLisle
papermaker, bookbinder, publisher, printmaker & gourd artist
pulp fictions & pulp fictions press
Grand Forks BC Canada pulpfic#sunshinecable.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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Message 10
From: Daniel Dew
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 11:52:40 -0500
Subject: [Baren 27421] 1st Timer part duex
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I seem to remember this being discussed, but not necessarily in this
format:

For a first timer (who may never do this again), what ink do you
recommend for hanga?


Daniel L. Dew

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Message 11
From: "Joseph Sheridan"
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 11:51:01 -0500
Subject: [Baren 27422] Re: carving tools
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I like the Japanese style tools. I work on cherry plank and in the Japanese fashion so those tools suit my work.
I have not worked with wood engraving tools and can not comment on them.

You may want to experiment with the style of tool (Japanese or Western), to see how the tool fits your hand and style. So buy a cheaper one before you commit to the expensive ones. I have some tools which I never use because they have become redundant or I found I never needed it to begin with.

The Lee Valley Japanese set, seems to have the same handle as the brand Power Grip which are OK but do LOOK at the Baren Mall at the variety of tools available. The edge on the student grade can not match the quality of the more expensive ones. If you find some tool you are comfortable with then step up to a better grade and your work will get easier.

Good luck
Joe

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Message 12
From: Mike Lyon
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 11:33:55 -0600
Subject: [Baren 27423] Re: Tool Choices.
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Ehud wrote:
>I was looking at the Lee Valley Tools catalogue and would like an opinion
>about these two tool sets:
>Japanese Detail Carving Tools (set of 5) http://tinyurl.com/5mx5r and
>And Block Cutters (set of 6) http://tinyurl.com/423vj.
>Which set would be best for a beginner?

The 'Block Cutters' "suck" -- don't waste your time and money! The
Japanese Detail Carving set is GREAT -- Get it, beginner or pro!

-- Mike


Mike Lyon
Kansas City, Missouri
http://mlyon.com

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Message 13
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 09:59:36 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 27424] Re: 1st Timer part duex
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Dan,
If you may truly never do this again, use watercolors as they are so available and you can just squeeze the color onto the block, add a little paste and water and brush it around. Walt Padgett prints this way, although that may have changed since I gave him some pigments from the mall that I had here. But he does beautiful work so I know this works, I have seen him print a fairly large print with a 24mm brush...he works pretty fast, but not that fast. It is doable.
Best to you,
Barbara

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Message 14
From: Sharri LaPierre
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 10:01:57 -0800
Subject: [Baren 27425] Re: Tool Choices.
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I have not done this myself, but I know one woodcut artist who keeps a
small piece of quite fine sandpaper, about 400 grit I would suppose,
next to her carving space and every now and then she whips her tool
across the sandpaper to keep it sharp. There are many, many ways to
skin this "keep the tools sharp" cat. Personally, I like that little
leather dealie from McClain's with that green stuff. It is handy,
economical, and I glued some of that non-stick rubberized shelf lining
material to the bottom of the leather sq. so it stays in place and
doesn't scoot around on me.

Happy Carving,
Sharri

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Message 15
From: Mike Lyon
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 12:04:17 -0600
Subject: [Baren 27426] Re: 1st Timer part duex
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Barbara wrote:
>Dan, If you may truly never do this again, use watercolors as they are so
>available and you can just squeeze the color onto the block, add a little
>paste and water and brush it around.

I agree -- good advice! -- Mike


Mike Lyon
Kansas City, Missouri
http://mlyon.com

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Message 16
From: "Joseph Sheridan"
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 13:08:21 -0500
Subject: [Baren 27427] Re: 1st Timer part duex
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Dan,
I do not use INK. I use a color suspension which I thin with water and gum arabic. I get my color from Guerra Paint & Pigment, 510 East 13th Street (212) 529-0628 http://www.guerrapaint.com/. I like it a lot, thank you April. I tried grinding dry pigment but found I could have some granulation in a thin color wash also You have to grind using masks etc.

I know one print maker who uses a commercial water color. If you love the "water" color effects of Hanga, you may want to experiment with water color from the tube. This will give you and idea of the effects and drawbacks. There is nothing like seeing that BOKASHI come to life with patient printing!

I am sure others have their favorite color sources as well .. have fun

Joe

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End of [Baren] Digest