tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729390740255994369.post7811958104786355053..comments2024-03-29T15:44:04.131+13:00Comments on Toni Hartill Art: Woodcuts in the making - what am I learning?tonihartillarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02494560145626069180noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729390740255994369.post-69998894560693056802021-07-02T19:39:49.199+12:002021-07-02T19:39:49.199+12:00Great looking prints! Reading your comments about ...Great looking prints! Reading your comments about the difficulties of mdf in relation to water clean-ups I wondered if a Wax finish might be an easier solution given how wax is a natural water repellent. I'm no expert though, and have never tried wood block printing. Cheers anyway! Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03725594062896274366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729390740255994369.post-44295897411756993182019-02-06T23:33:04.358+13:002019-02-06T23:33:04.358+13:00I use Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash oil-based, water ...I use Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash oil-based, water washable inks with a fine Japanese Hosho paper and take the prints by hand using a traditional bamboo Japanese baren. Very good results.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07445095005937630924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729390740255994369.post-3647830792675994592018-01-18T12:49:16.878+13:002018-01-18T12:49:16.878+13:00Thanks for your very thorough response Becca, very...Thanks for your very thorough response Becca, very detailed and some great tips! Thank you.tonihartillarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02494560145626069180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729390740255994369.post-37469808238112146942018-01-18T03:04:40.952+13:002018-01-18T03:04:40.952+13:00P.S. - When done, I wipe as much excess ink as I c...P.S. - When done, I wipe as much excess ink as I can from the plate. I then rinse it in the sink and use a soft toothbrush to scrub the crevices, getting out any ink that may have settled there. It is important to immediately and thoroughly dry the plate with paper towels, blotting into the crevice as much as possible to get out any water. A hair dryer might be useful to help dry the panel further. <br />Sometimes I've added an extra coat of varnish if I think it's needed, being carefully to make sure it is applied thinly and evenly. Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04751275716212386917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729390740255994369.post-56333852336501950192018-01-18T02:59:24.264+13:002018-01-18T02:59:24.264+13:00Lovely! I am using MDF art panels that are 1/8&qu...Lovely! I am using MDF art panels that are 1/8" or so thick. Like you, I've been experimenting and have had my share of failures. I have arthritis in my hands (not too severe yet) so I am looking for a material that is easy to carve, but will hold detail. They are convenient, too as they come in a variety of sizes. So far, the art panels seem to be the best bet. These panels come in their raw form - brown, pressed wood - so I begin by coating them with a thin layer of neutral gray acrylic paint. This is followed by a coat of gloss acrylic varnish applied as smoothly as I can get it. After I cut the design into the board, I apply another coat of gloss varnish. I use a stiffer brush to work the varnish into all the crevices. I keep a piece of paper towel and wipe excess varnish from the panel and brush onto the paper towel as I go. I check the panel in the light at an angle, seeing to it that the varnish coat is thin and even, and that no excess is in the crevices I carved. I then coat the sides and back of the panel as well, making it completely waterproof. So far, I have been happy with the results. I have found, however, that having excellent carving tools is an absolute must. Niji tools are okay - but I've found I need to frequently keep them sharp as I work. I recently ordered some Meeden micro carving tools from Amazon, and they are a dream! I hope to order a fuller set. They're not super-expensive, but the little extra you pay is well worth it! <br />I think I will be sticking with the MDF art panels, which are normally used for painting and are basically untempered Masonite panels. Anything else I've tried is either too soft or too hard to carve. Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04751275716212386917noreply@blogger.com