Methods
It is important to distinguish the two types of prints available here on
this site. The first, digital prints, are produced quite differently from
the second, woodblock prints.
Digital prints are produced on the computer in an art program, which electronically provides the paint, brushes, and surface upon which one ‘paints’ the picture, as well as providing certain techniques unique to this media. A print is then produced by printing from the computer’s file of that image to a computer printer. The quality of the program, the size and resolution of the image, the quality of the printer, the quality of the paper used to print on, are all key elements in addition to the artist’s skill in producing a quality print.
Woodblock prints are made in quite a different method. That which I prefer
and have used here is the Japanese woodblock print method, which in my
opinion surpasses all others. A drawing or painting is done by the artist,
a carver
then divides the image up to ascertain how many blocks will be required
to print a specific color or design element, and he carves those blocks leaving
only surface wood exposed to carry the ink for that specific portion of
the
print. A printer then takes the blocks and together with the artist or
publisher, makes final determinations as to colors, intensity, gradations,
etc. He then
runs an edition by printing the full run of prints over one color or line
block at a time until the print has been printed from all the blocks.
In
modern times, all or some of these functions can be carried out by a single
person.
See David Bull’s site for an example of one who is accomplished in all
these areas, as well as a comprehensive encyclopedia of information regarding
woodblock printing techniques. The woodblock prints I have here were designed
by me, but I employed Japanese craftsmen to carve and print them. The exception
here is “Canoers” which was a design of mine David chose to incorporate
in a series he was doing at the time, and he was carver, printer and publisher
combined in its production. Subsequent prints which I have had done from David’s
blocks were printed by Mr. Shingo Ueda, a carver and printer quickly rising
in skill level in the diminishing field that has been a tradition in Japan
for hundreds of years.