KenSwinson.com

Category: printmaking

  • Bridge Over Ducky Water -Reduction Woodcut timelapse

    Here’s a timelapse of my latest 11 color reduction woodcut.

    I use the same block for all 11 colors…carving a little bit away each time

  • sometimes the block is a beautiful art object

    patterns in wood block from a woodcut

    I’m cutting away the 7th color (2 colors to go!) for a reduction block print. the different textures and patterns of the block are really interesting at this point… a work of art in itself… so I took this picture to share

  • I started a new woodcut today

    carving reduction woodcut print

    we are having good weather today, so I took my table outside, and started a new woodcut.

    I’m also taking advantage of the sun by converting my van into a solar powered drying rack.

    reduction woodcuts drying in the dashboard of a van

    these multi colored reduction woodcuts can take a few weeks to go from beginning to finish. There is a lot of waiting time because I am using oil based inks. My strategy is to work on a group of prints at once. that way I always have something to do!

    stay tuned, more prints soon!

  • Animated Woodcut Birds

    animation of birds in tree

    I made this animation using one of my new woodcuts.

  • March ArtZine Linocut – Count Your Blessings

    March ArtZine Linocut – Count Your Blessings

    Every month, I visit a different small town and invite everyone to meet up and make an art maga(zine). Our theme for March’s ‘zine’ is LUCK. (We are meeting on March 26 In Brooksville, KY – come join us!)For my entry, i designed/carved/printed this linocut.

    It seems like whenever I think about the things I DONT have in my life, i feel like an unlucky person. BUT – if I think about the things I DO have, I realize how lucky I am! That idea was the inspiration for this month’s linocut.

    The image is 8×5″ and printed on an 11×14″ cotton paper. I made a few extras to sell for $35- not only do you get a beautiful handmade linocut, but you are also helping support my other art projects. For over 10 years, all of my income has come from art making, and your support. thank you for making it possible!

  • Block Print Animations

    Block Print Animations

    I’m trying to get better at reduction block printing…a technique for making multi-colored prints, using one block. It forces me to think a little bit different about how I design and carve…which is good, but sometimes a little frustrating.

    animation of a linocut printmaking hen

    I’m also learning to make animations. I thought it would be cool to give motion to some of my most recent reduction block prints.

    animation of a printmaking linocut rooster

    I really love mixing old with new technologies. What do you think?

  • Maysville Third Street – New Linocut

    I live in a charming little river town-Maysville, Kentucky. It’s on the Ohio River-we have the river, bridge, and lots of historic buildings. That’s a lot of picture-perfect scenery to squeeze into my latest block print.
    The print is a limited edition (im only printing 16). The  image is 4 1/2″x12″ on a sheet of 10×16″ cotton paper. If you’d like to have one for your collection, I am selling them for $60 unframed or $120 framed. I’ll pay the shipping to anywhere in the USA.

  • Cincinnati’s Music Hall – New Linocut!

    I love Cincinnati and Music, so it was a matter of time before I got around to carving/printing Cincinnati’s recently renovated Music Hall. Like many Cincinnatians, I made wonderful memories in this building, and hope to have many more.

    The print is a limited edition (im only printing 16). The  image is 4 1/2″x12″ on a sheet of 10×16″ cotton paper. If you’d like to have one for your collection, I am selling them for $60 unframed. I’ll pay the shipping to anywhere in the USA.

  • Love One Another

    Love One Another

    Every month, I visit a different small town and invite everyone to join me in making an art maga(zine). Our theme for February’s ‘zine’ is LOVE. For my entry, i designed/carved/printed this linocut.

    artist ken swinson printing love one another linocut

    Instead of creating an illustration about romantic love, I chose to explore the idea of ‘Love One Another’. Kindness is something I am trying to get better at, and this print has been my reminder. The magazine is printed with a laser copier, so, in the magazine, the ilustration will be black and white.

    I printed these RED linocuts with my traditional press to raise $300 so I can buy more paper (yes, it’s really possible to spend that much on paper!) – The image is 8×5″ and printed on a 9×12″ 100% recycled post consumer acid free paper. You can support my work (and help me buy the paper I need) by purchasing one of these prints for $35- not only will you get a beautiful handmade linocut, but you will also be helping support my art supply/paper habit. For over 10 years, all of my income has come from art making, and your support. thank you for making it possible!

    UPDATE: Thanks to everyone’s generous support, I was able to order my paper. Also 2 new cans of ink. My heart is full. thanks everyone for your kindness.

  • 2 Color Linocuts – Animated

    2 Color Linocuts – Animated

    I love it when I get a chance to combine traditional printmaking with modern art tools. I am learning to sculpt, model and animate with a 3D program, called Blender. I thought it would be interesting to see if I could use the program to animate a 2D image (like one of my latest linocuts). Here are some examples:

    animation of bunny rabbits stealing cabbage based on a linocut
    animation of linocut bunny rabbits stealing cabbage

    I’ve learned a lot through these exercises, and think the animation gives you all a new way to experience printmaking. What do you think?