Two more print making techniques under my belt!!

The product to remember is Gomuban - I'll get to it in the middle of this post.

Ink and Markers

I sketched and doodled a Kimono a couple of years ago on a piece of paper that had an architect's house plans on the back (c1966) - it's about 14 X 18.

When I knew I was accompanying my husband to Oregon I googled "art stores, classes, workshops", etc and came across Atelier 6000 Printmaking Studio and Gallery atelier6000.org.  I called and asked if they had any classes or workshops going on during the week I would be there.  They didn't - but they were able to work up a two day workshop to accommodate my schedule.  I went prepared with reduced copies of things I could use (the above print being one).  I swear - it couldn't have been a better experience.  If you get to visit ask to see the Vaquero Buckaroo book.  They hand printed and stitched 75 copies, each residing in a Juniper wood box - totally awesome!

Back to the workshop:  

The first day of my workshop I was taught printmaking - using inks, papers and the presses for making decorative paper (from sizes 5/7 up to 24 x 36).  I applied inks to glass and then paper to the glass and then rolled it like a sandwich.   The outcome was some really pretty paper.  It was too "accidental" for me, so while it was an experience I would not have passed up - it's probably one I won't pursue further.

The second day I learned how to carve into Gomuban.  A soft, easy to carve synthetic rubber used as a relief printing block.   The Gomuban tile was glued to a piece of thin cardboard for ease in moving during printing.  A reduced copy of the Kimono was used to make the tracing onto the Gomuban by putting a piece of red carbon paper behind it, then tracing the kimono and all it's designs with a pencil.  The carbon left a red outline on the Gomuban.  Using their tools I carved away at the outlines (carved Gamuban on left above) to create my print (print on right above).  The carved Kimono is approximately 10" high.  Because I wanted all the detail it took a little while - but the completed carving and printings were done in a day.  I will definitely be trying this again.

What do you think?