My first woodcut attempts have not impressed me at all. It is probably my skill level with the wood but there is a lot more freedom with lino, for example I shall post Dugong 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1. Could anyone print this with wood? I cannot imagine going around the corners and cutting such an even smooth line with wood, but maybe thats just my inexperience with this medium? Off the top of my head that print was 40 by 60cm. I printed it with the best press in the world that I have used (the wonderful hydraulic press at QCA) Nothing can compare to this press except maybe a bigger and better hydraulic press! It is to be able to use this press again that I consider doing honors (an extra year so that I can say BFA (Hons) It is certainly not a love of theory. Maybe I will or maybe I won't but I know that I will always love that press!
Ssssh, don't tell anyone, but I agree with you. I prefer lino to wood, unless I want some sort of grain to show, I will pick lino over wood every time.
ReplyDeleteI don't think lino is inferior to wood at all. The smooth even lines you show here are much easier to accomplish with lino, it's true. When you push a gouge through wood, you tend to get splinters as you go through the grain, so fine lines and details are better cut with a straight blade. I do almost all or my cutting with a straight blade called a hangi toh.
ReplyDeleteMoving from lino to wood could be called a change in media, even though it's still relief work, so it will probably take some getting used to.