Art of Ivan Locke

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Sunflowers In-Progress

I have finally started burning this sunflower block. It is the first I have done of this style, so I am not sure how it is going to print. I do like how it is starting out. I am not sure how I want to define the petals; a solid line seems too heavy, so I might try a dotted line or some kind of broken lines.
The picture is based on a reference image submitted by tessp on the WetCanvas Reference Image Library.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Website Favicon

Here is the icon I am adding for a favicon: . It is supposed to be a blog post with some text and picture (of a rabbit). Seems to work on some browsers, but not others.

For information on changing the favicon and other blog customizing, see the Tips for New Bloggers blog.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Working on Projects, Nothing to Show

I've been working and thinking about multiple projects this past weekend and couple of days. Nothing is far enough along to show, but here are some descriptions on what I am working on.

PVC Pipe Pin Press:
I am looking to make some improvements on the pvc pin press. I am making a new set of end caps with the correct smaller sized hole for the plastic handles I am now using. I plan to use my wood lathe to clamp the pipe cap with a Nova Chuck and have a drill chuck for the tailstock; I should be able to achieve a precisely centered hole. A threaded rod the full length of the roller will ensure the handles are in line.

PVC Pipe Roller Press:
I want to try to use the pin press roller design to make a press roller. I am thinking 18" wide with the 4" pvc pipe I am using now. The frame will be wood 4"x4" with steel threaded rod taking the load from the rollers. Solid bearings (bushings) instead of ball bearings will keep cost down and hopefully work just as well. I want to gear the hand drive and modify a vernier caliper for an accurate height gauge.

Pyrography for Printmaking and Miniature Attempt:
I am working on one of my first miniature prints for the October Monthly Miniature Challenge on the WetCanvas Miniature Forum. I have the sunflowers drawn on a 2-1/2" by 3-1/2" block ready to burn. I am looking at getting a needle point burning tip. It looks like it would be great for miniatures and textures.

Monday, October 8, 2007

House Plant, Intaglio

2-1/2in by 3-1/2in Poplar Pyrograph; Intaglio; Daniel Smith Oil Etching Ink; 5in by 7in Rives BFK Paper

House Plant, Relief

2-1/2in by 3-1/2in Poplar Pyrograph; Relief; Daniel Smith Oil Relief Ink; 5in by 7in Rives BFK Paper

Experimenting with Intaglio and the Pin Press

Previous discussion of the pin press can be found at http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=447590. My first test print (a relief) with the pin press was http://ilocke.blogspot.com/2007/09/park.html.

This past week and weekend, I started experimenting with pulling an intaglio with the pin press. I burned a small 2-1/2in by 3-1/2in poplar block. I used Daniel Smith oil etching ink and Rives BFK paper. My first attempts were dismal. The paper moved as I rolled back and forth. Only half the lines were pulled when I wiped well; when I wiped less, I achieved more lines, although still not all, but they became thick and undefined. After half a dozen such attempt, I gave up for the moment.

I decided to go ahead and print the block relief so that I could at least get something from it, and was disappointed even further. Usually I have no movement of paper on relief prints as the paper sticks well to the inked surface, however due to the small size of this print, the paper also moved and I ended up with an okay image, but nothing great.

On a last ditch effort at relief printing, I spritz a couple papers with water. Maybe the damp paper will stick better to the block, and damp paper always prints better. It did. It was slick. Why didn't I print with damp paper in the first place. With my success of damp paper for relief, I misted some additional pieces and bagged them up for the night to print intaglio the next day. They printed just as beautiful. There was no slippage of the paper, and the lines pulled crisp. You can see the final relief and intaglio prints in the following two posts.