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.