Category Archives: Dirty Dozen

Primitive Stimulator

28 Sunday Mar 2010

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I did this quick sketch while watching U of M play Miami of Ohio in the NCAA hockey tournament.  So, please excuse the errant pencil marks.  This style is definitely my favorite.  I think it would make a great woodcut with the addition of cut marks.  The image would work sufficiently as a transfer image.  As a formal graphic image I would redraw it to sharpen up a few details.

Black Ant on newsprint, Dirty Dozen No. 2

20 Wednesday Jan 2010

Posted by in Dirty Dozen, fishing, printmaking, woodcut

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Black Ant:  No 2 in the Dirty Dozen project.

Black Ant was an experiment using a Dremel Tool on Shina plywood.  This may be the fastest I’ve ever gone from a bare wood to a finished print.  I spent more time looking for a missing Dremel chuck than I did making this.  I dont think I would call this a successful experiment.  I believe the shina is a bit too soft for a a dremel, but maybe that’s just inexperience speaking?   On the plus side the dremel definitely allowed me to loosen up.  It also helped capture the look of fur, which was one of my goals.  If I were to do this fly again.  I think it might be a good idea to use both traditional tools and the dremel.  But, that will have to be done some other time.  Dirty Dozen fly no. 3 is calling.

The Dirty Dozen – Pheasant Tail, unpainted

12 Tuesday Jan 2010

Posted by in Dirty Dozen, fishing, printmaking, woodcut

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One down…eleven to go.  This is the first print of the Dirty Dozen project.  The DD project is about making one print every 12 days until I make 12 prints.  The subjects are my favorite flies.  This one is a Pheasant Tail Nymph.  After this spends a week or so drying it will get painted with watercolor.  While this guy is on the hanger, I’ll start working on sketches for the next fly.  What’s it going to be???? Honestly I’m not sure.  I have my Dirty Dozen flies picked out, but I’m not sure which one to do next.  I’ll think about it tomorrow when I’m tying flies with friends.

Technical Stuff:

Paper-Rives BFK

Ink- Akua Color

Wood- Shina plywood

Tools-  Flexcut and Namisei

Press-  Richeson Baby Press

The wood was treated with Elmers Carpenter Glue (PVA) and sanded prior to cutting.  I’ve been experimenting with PVA and Shellac.  The glue method is definitely easier.  And, I think it may have worked better as far as clean up.  I’m still experiencing a lot of chipping with the Shina plywood.  Since I have very few pieces left I’m not too concerned.  I intend to buy some thicker plywood and some Cherry.  I’m really curious how the Cherry will cut.  I’ve yet to cut into solid wood.  If you asked me how I feel about this print I probably wouldnt say much.  It’s definitely a “just do it” print.  I could have spent more time working on the composition.  I could have been more careful with cutting.  But, I didn’t.  Which is why this print fits the theme perfectly.  It’s a down and dirty print.  Eleven more to go.