I've been carving and creating my own stamps for a long time. I've done monoprinting (monotypes) with lots of layers, but I've never done reductive printing before. So I'm playing and learning!
definition: "A reduction print is a multicolor print in which the separate colors printed from the same block at different stages. Usually, the lightest color of the design is printed first, then the block is "reduced" by carving to the areas which the artist wants to print the second color from, and so forth. The disadvantage of reduction printing as opposed to printing from multiple blocks is that once the first color is printed, the matrix for it is destroyed in the creation of the printing matrix for the second color. It is impossible to undo mistakes."
Right now, I'm not over thinking the design, because I just want to learn the basic process.
(Of course, when have you known me to over think anything! haha!)
So, I'm excited to do a series of Mexican inspired tiles. My primary colors are pretty darn bright, so my next step will be mixing my colors and really thinking about the finished colors and how they will layer on top each other.
I'll keep you posted!
Have you done reductive printing?
Interesting! Never heard of this. I'm still confused. Are you printing then carving and then printing in another color? Or do you have three different blocks?
ReplyDeleteYes, Lynda, I'm printing, carving, printing all with the same block.
ReplyDeleteSo you are cutting away the stamp with each print?
ReplyDeleteYes, I've tried it. I don't believe you can over think this process! You do have to think it through and concentrate but if your up to thechallange....it's fun. There is a reason they are called "suicide" blocks. Haha!
ReplyDeleteI've not tried it but have read about it. I'm not sure how I'd do with it as I seem to have trouble to envision future steps. Maybe I'd be ok ad I went along.
DeleteI love yours. They do resemble tiles.
Yes!! I actually just finished my first reduction print not too long ago - http://artistholiday.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-finale-happy-crabby.html Part 1 and Part 2 links are embedded in this blog posting. I am taking a class at my local community college right now - I really like it! I have found color theory to be key to awesome prints! Looking forward to seeing more! :)
ReplyDeleteLa gravure... un art qui me semble très intéressant... Un très joli rendu dans vos photos.
ReplyDeleteCela me ramène aux souvenirs, notamment celui de petite enfance, lorsque nous fabriquions des tampons avec des pommes de terre.
Merci pour cette publication, gros bisous à vous.
Oh yes! stamps from potatoes. so fun! thank you dearheart!!
DeleteNever heard of this, but I have created stamps that were intended to be layered. Much less risk that way, but this looks exciting.
ReplyDeleteWOW that is really gorgeous and a one of a kind print! I haven't heard of this type of printing so thanks for sharing. I will have to give it a try. I wonder if I can be brave enough to cut into an image that I already like?
ReplyDeleteI have heard of it and read about it, but what doesn't appeal to me is the fact that the stamp you end up with isn't what you started with.....so, if you liked the first stamp, poof, it's gone! HaHa. So, in order to eliminate that 'problem', one must take baby steps. perhaps sketching the steps out ahead of time would be a way to make it more palatable for me? Also, as you and others have commented here, really thinking about color theory here is a good thing. I am 'working' with my 2-year old grandson on that. He hates getting 'mud' when he paints, so I provide only analogous colors when he steps up to the easel. I think he will eventually catch on....we'll see! HaHa, again!
ReplyDeleteI'm still working away on my recycled circles, so please don't distract me with new and wonderful projects like the reductive printing! ;-)
xxoo
I've never tried this-intriguing process! Love your tiles.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting this, Jane! I've wanted to try this since I saw an article in Cloth Paper Scissors a few months ago. I want to do some prints for a book project next month, so this is right on time for me.
ReplyDeleteI used this process once, in my art school days, with a linoleum block. My image was a dancing tree and it turned out great, but it was so much work to carve I never did it again. It would be so much easier today, with those eraser like blocks, or styrofoam. I may have to revisit the technique.
ReplyDeletehave never tried this and my first time to come across this technique! Thanks for sharing it! Would love to do this! Patsy from
ReplyDeleteHeARTworks
Quel bel univers , tout me fait rêver. Merci et bravo à vous.
ReplyDeleteI've played with reductive printing just a little bit.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/bhschatz/8603965819/in/photostream
I was trying to do this technique the other day - with a cheapy yoga mat (I cut it up first!), still, I could not, for the life of me, remember what these blocks are usually called (you know, when they're not a mat designed for exercise). Could you help me out? Or, better yet, direct me somewhere that sells them online?
ReplyDeletep.s. I stumbled across your blog via Pinterest and I love it. You have a new follower.