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Author: Ken
Goldfinches – Reduction Woodcut
Hi all! I just finished the latest addition to my series of woodcuts of the different birds of Kentucky: Goldfinches!!!
Layer 1: light grey is on the right
Layer 2: yellow on the left
with this technique all colors come from the same block-pictured in the center
we were able to print TWO colors in one trip through the press–there was enough space between the orange and purple to ink the block with both orange AND purple.
Layer 2 on the RIGHT Layer 3 on the LEFT.
LAYER 5 (left) of my latest woodcut.
At this point, you can clearly see the plants and bird outlines–in contrast to layer 4 (on the right) -we’ll be building up color relationships and texture for the remaining layers.
6 (right)-a light brown for the female’s feathers and 7(left) green of the thistle plants-of our woodcut.
–and LAYER 8 of our Goldfinch woodcut–Dark green. I’m in LOVE with the texture of the thistle plaint in this print.
-just one final layer to go: BLACK
Click image above for more details on how to add this limited edition reduction woodcut to your collection!
Cardinals – Woodcut
I want to learn more about the different species of birds that live and travel through Kentucky, and decided to learn through woodcuts.
It’s appropriate to start with our state’s official bird: the cardinal!!!
The first layer (left) is a very pale green, with the stars and whites of the bird eyes—feathers, etc carved away.
The second layer (right) is the light brown of the female cardinal.
layer 3 (left) is a light red followed by a deep red in layer 4 (right)
the design really comes together in layer 5(left) when we add a green
and is finished (!!!!) with the 6th layer: BLACKThese are all hand inked with archival oil based inks, then printed with a hand cranked etching press.
THIS EDITION HAS SOLD OUT! – Thank you everyone for your support!
The image is approx 6″x12 on an 8×15″ 100% PCW recycled paper and was printed in a limited edition of 18.Bearing Fruit – New Woodcut
I’m super excited to share my latest woodcut: ‘BEARing Fruit’
Layer 1 on the left
Layers 1 and 2 on the top right
The woodblock on the bottom rightI have been working on better and more precise cuts in the wood. This size 5×7″ has been a good exercise in my craftsmanship.
Inking and printing layer 3 Drumroll please…………
The final woodcut!!! Hand inked and printed with an old fashioned press, this 4 color reduction woodcut uses oil-based archival inks and acid free 100% PCW recycled paper.
Fox and Hound – Woodcut
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Fox and Hound- Reduction Woodcut$120.00
I just finished my LARGEST multi-color reduction woodcut to date: using the reduction technique–where each color is printed from the same wood block–effectively destroying the block with each layer. These are particularly unique because it’s impossible to ever print more.
It all starts with a sketch
Then carve the parts of the design that will reveal the white of the paper–Ink the rest with the lightest color
Carve the parts of the design that will reveal the light color, and ink again with the second lightest color–light, light green
keep carving and inking to build up all the colors of your design
layers 5 (left) and 6 (right)
green is one of those tricky colors for me to mix. It took 3 tries before I got color harmony that I liked
The different greens build a nice depth and texture to the woodcut.
The finished woodcut!!!
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Fox and Hound- Reduction Woodcut$120.00
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New Woodcut – Sheep Dog
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Sheep Dog- Reduction Woodcut$60.00
I’m working on a new 6 color woodcut.
Layer1
carving back into the block for layer2
layer 2 – hello yellow!!!
Layer light blue
Layer 4 – Grass
Layer 5 – purple
The finished print!!!
This was created using the reduction technique–where each color is printed from the same wood block–effectively destroying the block with each layer. It’s impossible to print more- available in a limited edition of 20.
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Sheep Dog- Reduction Woodcut$60.00
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New Woodcut – Goat In Cornfield
Printmaking season is in full swing! I’m working on my SECOND woodcut of the season.
Layer one of the print–a light blue for the background
Layer 4 – reveal – Light blue, light brown, dark blue and now medium brown
the penultimate layer—just one more time through the press
The finished woodcut!!! Goat In Cornfield!
The printed image is 8×10″ printed on 11×14″ heavyweight, acid free, 100% post consumer recycled paper. Limited Edition of 17New Woodcut – Cat With Camera
Printmaking season is in full swing! I’m working on my FIRST woodcut of the season.
Layer one of the print–a light green for the background
Layer 2 – a light orange
here’s a timelapse as I work through the block–cutting a little bit more for each layer
The final block doesn’t have much surface left- reduction woodcuts are so unique because it’s impossible to go back and print any more.
The finished woodcut!!! Cat with camera!
The printed image is 8×10″ printed on 11×14″ heavyweight, acid free, 100% post consumer recycled paper. Limited Edition of 22
New Reduction Linocut – Peace Cat and Bird
I just finished editioning (23 – a nice prime number!) my latest reduction linocut. Since reduction printing is such a unique technique, I wanted to share a few of the steps of the process:
for the first layer, I carved the white parts of the design, then inked the block with the lightest color.
After carving away the area where I want the lightest ink to show (from the same block) I re-ink with the SECOND lightest color, and put the print through the press for a second time.
Between each color, I clean the block off, and carve again to create the block for each layer of color
Here’s layer 3. Hot off the press!
By the end of the process, there isn’t much left of the block–just whatever you need for the final layer of ink
This technique forces the print to be a limited edition, because the process destroys each color block as the print develops.
This print is a limited edition of 23: printed on a heavyweight, acid free, 100% post consumer recycled paper.
Community Scratch Block Casting Project Dedication
Last year, I was honored to have been invited by the Charles T Cotterill Foundation to create a design for a scratch block casting project for downtown Maysville.
The project was led by Jeremy Colbert and executed by his staff and students at the University of Kentucky Sculpture and Metal Arts department
The carving for the art was done by hundreds of Mason County students: from Mason County Intermediate School, and St. Patrick’s School.
My idea for the artwork was: the space where the art is displayed is a gateway
when visitors come to Maysville via boat-the tunnel is the gateway to the city; which is illustrated on the East wall.
when people from Maysville walk to the river – the tunnel is a gateway to the RIVER; Ilustrated on the West wall.
Art brings community together!
It’s been wonderful to work with this amazing group of people.
Maysville has been an inspirational and supportive community that allowed me to live my dream of being a full time artist. It’s been an honor to be a part of such a cool art project in my home town!
Thanks again to the Charles T. Cotterill Foundation and all who made this project possible!New Reduction Linocut – Bear on Bike
Reduction Linocuts are a fun way to print with more than one color, using just one block
Layer 1 of the print-the block is on the far left, the ink on the right, and examples of the print in the center You have to do some planning. For the first layer, you carve the white areas away, then print with the lightest color.
Layer 2 – the print with (now with 2 layers) in the foreground, the block is further in the distance Then you carve the block again, removing all the areas where you want the light color to remain.
Continue the process until the design is finished!
Prints using this technique are extra special, because the block for each color is destroyed as part of the process–creating a limited edition that can not ever be re printed.
All that remains of the block after printing the third and final color Would you like to add one of these cuties to your art collection?
Click here for more information
This edition is limited to 25 prints – so get one now before they all pedal away!
