First Wood Block Reduction Print

     I completed my first linoleum reduction print recently and decided to try the technique on a woodblock.  I used a photo of my cat Sally and laid it over carbon paper for planning the colors.  I used my linoleum Speedball carving tools for this carving and they worked very well.  The woodblock is 1/4″ Shina plywood from McClain’s Printmaking Company.  I used water based inks for this print and again they gave me grief.  The wood seems to absorb the ink and it was difficult to get enough ink for a good print.  Many of the prints I ran each color twice trying to remedy the problem.  I printed a series of twelve.  I am not especially happy with any one individual print.  However, I love to view them as a 3 by 4 array.  It’s fun to observe the nuances of each individual print.  Here is each individual print and the collective.

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