Here is the first edition print of the Big Tree.  This was pulled from the block yesterday afternoon.  It came out quite well since it is difficult to always get a smooth print when I burnish the back.  I don’t have a printing press, so all of my prints are hand burnished.  It makes for a more handmade look and a longer process for me to print.

I pulled a proof of this and made some corrections of the line widths and how deep everything is cut.  I then pulled another proof that I think came out much better then I expected.  I am really please with this print.  I really enjoy this whole process of taking an idea from a sketch on trip (this time it was Hawaii), drawing it out, working on simplifying it for a print, transferring it, cutting the block, and getting to see how it looks after the first inking.  Once the proof is dry I will post it tomorrow.  I will start the pulling the editions this week and they will be all for sale by the end of the week.

Below is a link to the cutting of the lino block.  I sped it and added some lobby sounds as to not bore you with how long and laborious this process can be…

Big tree

A full version can be found on my Vimeo page at this address….Big tree

Here is the reverse of the drawing transferred onto the lino block.  I used carbon paper again to do the transfer and then went over the lines with a sharpie so they don’t smear when I am cutting them out.

Using good old fashioned carbon paper, I traced the image in reverse on the backside of the drawing.