Freeze and Thaw: Failure and Success
2012, Drypoint of Moses in the Rock, 4 1/2″ x 6″. Unlike an engraving which captures the ink in incised lines, the drypoint image is made by scratching the copper with a stylus, which raises a bur, trapping the ink on the surface of the plate. This produces a “softer” or “fuzzier” line than the crisp and precise engraved line. This also makes deeper tones possible, which I wanted for this image. I am not sure that I have not failed in my attempt. Yet I am not disappointed. Failure is the plough.
Fire and Gravel. 2012, Engraving of Waking Man drawing a comet, 3″ x 4 1/2″. The difference in line quality is readily observed in this engraved image.
A slightly earlier state of the Moses drypoint.
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Slideshow of images from the printing process.
Building Layers
Building layers onto the upper half panel of Walking Man and the Ancient Ocean. Here, the clouds, sky, middle and far landscapes, and the cliff have all been recipients of a second layer on top of the underpainting. Below are two details, and the panel in two previous states.
underpainting and drawing
Jonah and Walkning Man
The nearly completed under-painting of Walking Man and Jonah.
Walking Man and Jonah Underpainting
Here is the beginnings of the under-painting -the first layer of many layers of paint- of the Walking Man section of the panel depicting Walking Man tromping across the ancient ocean and Jonah in the ancient ocean.
a poor shot of the entire panel
Copper Engraving Progress
Here are some more pictures of the engraving process, and the second proof as work continues on a small copper plate of Walking Man observing and drawing a comet.
Engraving lines in the copper using a burin.
Detail of a small curl of copper being plowed up by the burin.
The plate after being inked and rubbed for printing.
The printed proof of the plate- revealing the progress thus far.
Walking Man and Jonah in the Ancient Ocean
Below are some updated photos of the “underdrawing” of the Walking Man and Jonah in the Ancient Ocean panel.
Detail 1
Detail 2
Jonah and Walking Man Panel
In-progress graphite under-drawing on a poplar wood panel of Walking Man over a subterranean ocean with Jonah and the Sea-monster. This will be painted in oils.
Walking Man and Jonah in the Ancient Ocean
Here is a new pencil drawing of Walking Man with an axe above a drawing of Jonah and the Appointed Sea Monster.
New Block Print of Walking Man
Here is a new linoleum-block print of Walking Man in the Prairie Grass with a little chickadee. It is about 7″x8″, printed on BFK Rives 250 mgs paper cut to 10″x11″. Prints of this edition are for sale. Please contact me at playbanjo@gmail.com for details.
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