100 THINGS
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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Back on the Horse

I've been brainstorming ideas for a print image to accompany the short story I wrote last weekend. The story was written on the theme of the uncanny and it's been difficult to think of a good image to match it. Today, I sketched a rough idea inspired by one of my favourite paintings, Marcel Duchamp's Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2.


I drew the idea on one of my wood-backed lino blocks and carved it out using my new set of cheap (but sharp!) blades.





I really liked the resulting print, but I was disappointed that the figures didn't stand out more. T confirmed that this was so when he responded 'What figures?' and, thus, sealed the fate of my lovely stamp.

I went a little nuts cutting out sections and ended up with this:


Not really what I wanted....

I think I'll try a new image tomorrow and stay closer to the first print, but with slightly more defined figures. Despite the crumby end result, it was really fun to get back into some printmaking.
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6 comments:

  1. A-DiddyJanuary 30, 2010 at 9:04 PM

    I am excited to see what your final print will look like. I really liked the first one (the one that T couldnt figure out) but I am sure that the one you end up happy with will be amazing.

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  2. A-DiddyJanuary 30, 2010 at 9:04 PM

    Also I found an art supply store (really near to Union Square) that seems to have an amazing inventory. I need to take you there! Check out the website http://www.nycentralart.com/catalog/

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  3. t a n y aJanuary 31, 2010 at 8:59 AM

    I really liked the first print!

    I have to go to that art store and see if the blocks are type high.

    Nice photo of the blades:)

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2010 at 11:38 AM

    I too really like the first print (I realize that this is not really comforting since it has since been carved away:)). Are you willing to play with different colours in future prints to make the figures stand out? Or maybe different tones, like in the Duchamp?

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  5. Sonnet and MayhemJanuary 31, 2010 at 1:51 PM

    Thanks for your support on the first print everyone! I knew as I was cutting it that I really should have slept on the decision, but at least I have more blocks for Round 2.

    Aditi - That art store's inventory is AMAZING. We need to officially pencil that into our schedule!

    Tanya - The blocks are exactly 2.2 cm high. Is that high enough for your press?

    Erin - I was considering colours, but I also want the print to work in black and white so that it could hypothetically be printed along with the story (should anyone pick it up). I do think I'm going to try and make the next one a little more intricate though.

    I promise I'll post Round 2 later today... which will also be my 100th post!

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  6. t a n y aFebruary 1, 2010 at 9:36 AM

    Victoria - that height is perfect. Now I just got to find the time to get into the city. Thanks for letting me know!

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