Pheasant Tail, woodcut

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Pheasant Tail Nymph

"Pheasant Tail", woodcut, copyright Gregorio Perez

The Dirty Dozen – Pheasant Tail, unpainted

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Akua Color, Feathers, flexcut, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Richeson Press, Shina

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.

Pheasant Tail Photo Reference

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Canon, Gates AuSable Lodge, Little River Outfitters, macro, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Photography, ring neck pheasant

K and I purchased a new Canon Powershot SD1200 IS the other day.  I thought I would experiment with it a little bit this morning by creating a photo reference for my Pheasant Tail woodblock print.  So I pulled out a Pheasant Tail from my fly tying box and picked out a Pheasant Tail nymph out of my flybox and shot this simple composition.  I positioned the fly by sticking the hook into the shaft of the feather.  I don’t think I can take credit for the fly because I’m not sure if I tied this one or not?  I may have purchased it from Gates AuSable Lodge in Grayling, MI or from the Little River Outfitters in Townsend, TN.  Those are the only two places I purchase flies if I don’t tie them myself.

You may be wondering how I’m going to use the photo for the woodblock?  There are several ways to transfer an image like this to a block of wood.  Using carbon paper for example is a popular method.  I have used it in the past but I wont need it for this.  This image is pretty straight forward.  And, I prefer to sketch directly on the block for most of the prints I make anyway.  This photo simply creates a blueprint for the direction of my cuts.  And, that’s about all I’ll use it for, besides using it here.

Pheasant Tail Quickie

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fly tying, Pheasant Tail Nymph, sketching

Ok, I gave myself 12 days to make a Pheasant Tail woodcut.  I started this “Dirty Dozen” project on January 2nd.  That means I have 6 more days left.  I have about 3 or 4 pages of doodles.  I decided I better pick a doodle and start cutting by tomorrow.  This is the doodle I chose (right).  It’s basically a Pheasant Tail Nymph on a Pheasant Tail feather.  I know…not very creative, BUT I’m going with it.  I’ve got a deadline to meet.  AND honestly….we’re getting our first good snow of the year now and I’m dying to get out to do some cross-country skiing.  AND…I also thought about going ice fishing this weekend…ha!  Soooo, this is it.  It shouldnt take long to cut on a 4×6 piece of shina plywood.  I should be able to print this with no problems in the next 6 days…..unless the Pike are really active…and then all bets are off.