Project Reflection
Project Description
Through this project, I learned more about printmaking, which is the centuries-old art of transferring ink images from a carved block or type of some sort on to paper or a similar substance, such as silk, linen, vellum, etc. What I did was carve out a design of my choice that I had transferred on to a 4'' by 6'' piece of soft block. I carved around the main lines of my design in order to make certain aspects of it stand out more. After my design was completely carved out, I created my first proof by applying block printing ink on to the raised surfaces of the soft block and then pressing a piece of paper on top of that. After a few seconds of firmly pressing the paper down onto the block, I peeled the paper off and there was the print.
Process
In order to start carving out my block, I needed carving tools and a benchhook to keep the block steady as I carved. My chosen design was already transferred on to the block by this time with the assistance of Photoshop and Mod Podge. After the design was successfully transferred, I started carving my relief print. The original design as carved out onto the block was ragged on the edges and not fully formed, as this was my first time doing printmaking. With the design fully carved out, I moved on to printing my first proof using the proof paper. I used the block printing ink on the Plexi Glass to make my image clearly stand out. The ink was applied onto the block with a brayer, which distributed the ink evenly along the surface. With each proof, I changed the design on the block a little bit more until the image had cleaner and more defined lines. I also experimented with the A la poupee and Chine Colle techniques, also known as the hand coloring and the cut paper techniques respectively. After creating six more proofs, I was ready to move on to creating my final proofs. For those, I used the final paper (watercolor and cardstock paper). One of them was a chine colle piece and the other a regular ink piece but printed in purple block printing ink.
The Fantastical Dream
By Rachna Halker
Subject Matter:
This print represents all the weird and crazy dreams that I have had so often. Many of them are quickly forgotten as I wake up, but some dreams are so vivid and strange that I still remember them months, sometimes years after I’ve experienced them. The bright and striking colors and images in my dreams have always reminded me of how amazing it is to have such an active imagination in a world that has become so jaded by everyday life.
Symbolism:
Through this print, I wanted to convey the bizarre yet harmonious aspects of a dream by depicting several contrasting figures and lines as well as bright and vivid colors. The colors are not always complementary and nor do the images make much sense, which shows how random and spontaneous dreams are.
Design and Techniques:
To start the process, I did an image transfer from Photoshop on to my block so that my drawing was ready to carve out. I carved around the lines of my design in order to make certain images stand out. After I was finished carving, I made my first proof of the print. With every proof I made, I changed the design on the block slightly, either to remove something unnecessary or to make the lines and spaces a little cleaner and more defined. After a few proofs with black ink on white paper, I experimented with backgrounds of different colors as well as the a la poupeé and chine collé techniques.
Spanish Personification:
Yo soy extraño como el pez del mar profundo
Yo soy más colorido que la puesta de sol ardiente
Yo soy la mente que sueña
I am strange like the deep sea fish
I am more colorful than the fiery sunset
I am the dreaming mind
By Rachna Halker
Subject Matter:
This print represents all the weird and crazy dreams that I have had so often. Many of them are quickly forgotten as I wake up, but some dreams are so vivid and strange that I still remember them months, sometimes years after I’ve experienced them. The bright and striking colors and images in my dreams have always reminded me of how amazing it is to have such an active imagination in a world that has become so jaded by everyday life.
Symbolism:
Through this print, I wanted to convey the bizarre yet harmonious aspects of a dream by depicting several contrasting figures and lines as well as bright and vivid colors. The colors are not always complementary and nor do the images make much sense, which shows how random and spontaneous dreams are.
Design and Techniques:
To start the process, I did an image transfer from Photoshop on to my block so that my drawing was ready to carve out. I carved around the lines of my design in order to make certain images stand out. After I was finished carving, I made my first proof of the print. With every proof I made, I changed the design on the block slightly, either to remove something unnecessary or to make the lines and spaces a little cleaner and more defined. After a few proofs with black ink on white paper, I experimented with backgrounds of different colors as well as the a la poupeé and chine collé techniques.
Spanish Personification:
Yo soy extraño como el pez del mar profundo
Yo soy más colorido que la puesta de sol ardiente
Yo soy la mente que sueña
I am strange like the deep sea fish
I am more colorful than the fiery sunset
I am the dreaming mind