print-making is something that's been on my learning list for quite a few years and I've puttered at it here and there but as one desire in a long list of them I've not managed much of it
this week I got the inks and brayers out and spent a couple of hours getting rather dirty and making a great big fun mess
as I mentioned in my last post I have been thinking about transparency and layers so I thought I'd give that a go first
didn't work out so well, I need a lot more practice figuring out the right amount of ink on the inking up plate, and the printing plate, not to mention the brayer
I did manage a few light prints I could probably use and then I just played with layers on one sheet of paper, trying to get some darker areas here and there, attempting to reduce the graininess
not trying to create something useful, just rolling practice
I admit I do kind of like the gritty nature of it though
my next hankering was to try some marks reminiscent of the calligraphy squiggles I did several posts ago, where I thought of a word, held it in my mind and then just moved the brush quickly, at random
using the brayer for that was fun though I did get some rather thick globs of ink here and there so before using my fine Japanese paper to pull the print I lightly touched down a piece of cartridge paper to dab off the excess
very happy with the dab-off!
below is the ensuing print
not bad... a bit dramatic with the bigger, heavier marks, less light and lively
still delightful
from there I inked up the printing plate completely and then used the brayer to mark it up, pushing and flicking the edges of it to pull ink off
this way and that
here and there
interesting marks though still grainy
another try at inking, this time printing on a smoother paper
trying to push the brayer with the pressure a little longer
it was a good time but yes, a lot to learn
so I'll just keep at it then!
take care,
Jillayne
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