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Message 1
From: Annie Bissett
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:05:50 -0500
Subject: [Baren 34746] Re: Wouter's Print
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Wouter, thanks for the link to your web site showing your latest
reduction lino print. I like the strong contrast and the subtle
effect you achieved with the second color.

Your registration system is really interesting. Is the top piece (the
piece with the window for the inked block and the kento guides for
the paper) made of a thin plywood or of something else? Very
ingenious. Sorry to hear about your carving injury. Take care!

best, Annie

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Message 2
From: L Cass
Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:07:49 -0500
Subject: [Baren 34747] thanks for cards drifting in
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I imagine it is permissible to thank people for Chinese New Year
cards (old and new) that arrive to give pleasure and take one's mind
off the usual
bills and junk mail...

Thank you Sarah H. for the (pet) giant rat and Tibi's happy rat (in a
palace/ maze??)

Thanks also go to Sylvia T. for the charming dog and pig ones: to
Frank T for a handsome boar/pig and Claudia C.'s kite flying pig...

I actually expect to get my mouse masquerading as a rat out on time
this Feb as I go into my 7th year of 'nengago' cards

once more - has anyone used a chip carving knife? George Walker (The
Woodcut Artist's Handbook) says any kind of knife will do
as long as it's comfortable - are the Japanes hangit actually more
comfortable to hold? Since I'm always working hurriedly I just
used to rely on assorted gouges but am now attempting to achieve
finer lines with the knife ....
regards to all and welcome to the interesting newcomers
Louise C.



www.lcassart.com

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Message 3
From: "Terry Peart"
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 08:06:16 -0800
Subject: [Baren 34748] Chip Carving Knife
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Louis C. -
Yes, my favorite carving knife is technically a chip carving knife, here's a
picture of what if sorta looks like, although it's not this brand (the top
one):
http://www.qualitycarvingsupplies.com/store/page31.html
I like that the blade is short and I can get my hand closer to my work.
It's a very useful knife for initial cutting.
Terry
in West Seattle

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Message 4
From: brad robinson
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 08:56:51 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 34749] my latest print
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i spent the weekend printing my latest block. every year i do a valentines card which also serves as an invite to a party that my partner and i do called "champagne and sweets".
here is the carved block:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradrobinson/2165003984/
here is the pulled print:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradrobinson/2169801727/
and just for fun here is a photo of all 100 of the prints i pulled (yes, 100! that is the most prints i have ever pulled at once!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradrobinson/2169813561/
now that i have these done i can start thinking about my "year of the rat" cards!
best, brad


Brad Robinson
Film & Event Production
www.flickr.com/photos/bradrobinson

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Message 5
From: "Wouter and Pamela ten Broek"
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 07:52:12 +1300
Subject: [Baren 34750] Re: Happy New Year
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Hi Charles

This is the link http://www.acwwoodcuts.com/Site/Drypoint/Printing_press_as_an_adaptation_of_a_bench_press.ashx
I know that you are interested in presses and how they work. Actually I'm looking for an etching press ( and this is the reason why I'm responding to Baren in the form of a general posting ) There are two I found locally and what I like about them is the diameter of the toproller they offer - like 220 mm. I noticed, that a lot of presses are manufactured with toproller diameters of 110-130 mm.
I have hardly got any experience with etching presses but to me while sacrifycing a bit of pressure potential, you gain more even pressure and it is maybe easier with high relief printing. I would be obliged if any one could share their thoughts about that. The press I've got my eye on is this one. http://www.almaproducts.co.nz/standard_ped.htm

Thanks very much

Wouter

www.acwwoodcuts.com

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Message 6
From: "Harry French"
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 21:05:51 -0000
Subject: [Baren 34751] Some very minor questions
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Greetings Bareners,
I am reading a biography of England's much loved 18th century wood engraver, Thomas Bewick ( Nature's engraver : a life of Thomas Bewick by Jenny Uglow : publisher Faber and Faber). The biographer mentions that Thomas dampened his papers for printing. I never knew oil based printmakers dampened paper. This may be because of the quality of paper in those days. I use machine and hand made papers and have never dampened them before printing. Are there any oil based printmakers amongst Bareners who dampen their papers before platen press printing?
My second query is this :
I used a professionally prepared basswood block. I cut out the white areas for reduction and printed with linseed oil inks and then wiped the block clean with white spirit. The cutting of the second colour was so easy. My question is that by deliberately wiping linseed or white spirit over the wood is it easier to cut or is it just my imagination?
Thank you in anticipation and my machine papers are already soaking in a water tray ready for to try out tomorrow!
Regards,
Harry
UK
www.harryfrenchartworks.co.uk

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Message 7
From: Charles Morgan
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 14:15:52 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 34752] Re: Happy New Year
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Thanks for the link for your press, Wouter. I believe you did send that link to me before, perhaps right after you had first made it.

The etching press you are considering is much like the Thomas Press, which is made here on Vancouver Island:

http://www.thomaspresses.com/

I bought a small one some years ago, and just bought a new one in his largest size. Like a lot of things, it seems the one you have is never quite big enough!!! So my only advice is to go for the biggest one you can afford.

Cheers .... Charles

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Message 8
From: Charles Morgan
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 14:19:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 34753] Re: Some very minor questions
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Hello Harry,

I use my homemade bottle jack press to print wood block with oil based inks. I think my press would qualify as a platen press. I have found that I get much better results if I dampen the paper. I almost always print on BFK Rives, rather than on smooth, hard papers, and maybe that is why dampening gives me better results.

Cheers ..... Charles

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Message 9
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 15:14:34 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 34754] presses
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Wouter,
I would always get the biggest top roller I could as
you will have less problems in printing. With a small
top roller the block wants to jump more than with a
large roller. This can cause you little ink marks at
the edge of your print image, I had trouble for that
very reason and had to make a chase for my press to
keep it from happening.
best to all,
Barbara
--- Wouter and Pamela ten Broek
wrote:


There are two I
> found locally and what I like about them is the
> diameter of the toproller they offer - like 220 mm.
> I noticed, that a lot of presses are manufactured
> with toproller diameters of 110-130 mm.
> I have hardly got any experience with etching
> presses but to me while sacrifycing a bit of
> pressure potential, you gain more even pressure and
> it is maybe easier with high relief printing. I
> would be obliged if any one could share their
> thoughts about that. The press I've got my eye on is
> this one.
> http://www.almaproducts.co.nz/standard_ped.htm
>

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Message 10
From: "Terry Peart"
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 16:54:33 -0800
Subject: [Baren 34755] Re: Happy New Year
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Charles,
How do you like your Thomas Press? I've been looking at them. I'm close enough to drive up and pick it up.
My concern is the direct drive. I worry it will be taxing on a long run, I have issues with my neck if I over-do. Does he offer micro-gauges, and did you get them? If not, how do you measure the pressure to get the same results consistently?
Thanks,
Terry
West Seattle.

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