Ukiyoe Heroes (1) : Rickshaw Cart - first proof

[seseragistudio]

This isn't really supposed to be 'public' yet ... but the paper I have used for all my prints for many years now, and which I will also use for Jed's designs, is the 'Echizen Hosho' made in the workshop of Living National Treasure Iwano Ichibei. For those who are perhaps concerned about longevity, this is _exactly_ the same stuff used for all the old famous Utamaro, Hiroshige, etc. prints. After about 100 years, it really starts to look nice; after about 200 years, it will be at its best!

[seseragistudio]

This is of course just the first rough pull from the block - the paper isn't Japanese washi, but simply a sheet of copy paper. I will now spend the next day or so inspecting this and going over many of the lines again, refining their appearance to match Jed's original brush strokes. Once I'm confident about that, I'll then pull a series of proper proofs carefully, and use them to create the colour blocks.

[seseragistudio]

It's because this particular block will be used only for printing black lines. The flower will be in colours, and will thus be on other blocks.

[seseragistudio]

It is possible to print many thousands of copies from a single woodblock like this, _if_ the printing is done carefully, and the block is allowed to dry out between batches. In the old days, this is how the famous ukiyo-e prints were made, some of them in batches of many thousands indeed. Jed and I have no plan to make such tremendous quantities, of course...

[seseragistudio]

I myself am just making these; all the publishing/sales/etc. is being handled by the designer Jed Henry. It seems I'm unable to put a link here in the comment, but if you search for him and 'Ukiyo-e Heroes', you will soon come across his information ... Thanks for the interest!

[seseragistudio]

I'm not quite sure what you mean exactly. The circular round pad that I use to actually press the paper onto the wood is known as a バレン (baren) in Japanese.

[seseragistudio]

If you enjoy these sounds, then you will _really_ enjoy the 'Soundscape with Kingfisher' that I published a while back. I recorded my work routine, and while doing so, we had a visit from one of our most spectacular local birds ... Seems I can't put a link here, but if you go to my woodblock [dot] com website, you'll find it in the 'Diversions' section ...

[FaceToTwoFaced]

That's what I meant! Seems like a wonderful tool. When I'm printing I use an enormous press in an art studio, but this way I can make wonderful prints just at home.

[RDFB]

Quite therapeutic to watch! How do you know where to put the paper down on the block? Is there a reference mark / line or something?

[Steampunk_Willie]

I missed when you did most of the carving so I don't know the reason but, why did you skip on the fire flower that Mario is holding?

[FaceToTwoFaced]

Amazing!

What is the name of the last tool you use to straighten it all??

[_timmy]

Do you trim the paper down after you have applied the image and coloring? because i noticed there was a indent on the paper on the side, which is meh....good work though! love it!

[Shweetooth]

How much would it cost me to buy all of your paintings as lithographs like you just did? just the pictures on really good paper? maybe with color but maybe not?

[SpartanM]

How many copies can be created from this single etching?

[pheenix]

...I wonder how you'd say 'Rainbow Road' in Japanese?