I am back to engraving, not being satisfied with sections of my current wood engraving. I am working through what paper to print my edition on (making multiple paper orders) and figuring out how to print with makeready on my No. 1 Vandercook Proof press (the block is too big to use the Albion press). The engraving needs more work, as I found many sections “blah”, mostly areas of the pine needles.
Proof on right, and makeready on left, working on getting a better print of my Barometer Earthstar Mushroom wood engraving.
I refer to photos I took of the mushrooms taken the day before the year’s first significant snowfall, the mushrooms were quite decayed. I decided to illuminate the needles more.
I am not rubbing chalk powder into the lines that were blackened in the printing process, which can help one see how the final engraving looks. Having a recent printed proof nearby gives me enough information to work with.
To be continued . . .