Medieval Tiles - Water-based Ink

4"sq. griffin

I like the wood marks. They give an energy to the print. This is an Irish tile.




3"sq. unicorn



3"sq. deer

Daniel Smith burnt umber water-soluable ink on Somerset. There may be a touch of yellow ochre as well. I was going back and forth between the two with the blocks. Gave me some lovely browns and golds.

Griffin Tile

griffin tile 4"sq. faux print


griffin tile 4"sq. block

Another tile block. This one is 4"sq. Large open spaces work well on fabric.

Tile Block 2

tile block2, 3"sq. - faux print


tile block2, 3"sq.

Another Medieval tile.

Fabric Block Print

ochre on cotton (w/ black peeking thru)

I had to add magnesium carbonate to the fabric ink to make it thick enough to roll and cover. There was still some black ink on the block, which gave the print an antique gold effect. I may try it again on purpose. I like the solid ochre print as well.

I have some methyl celulose on hand -- I may try thickening the ink with that. Also could try rice paste. The ink is water-soluable and heat setting. So far it works fine with a press. I need to see how it will print without one.

I'm thinking of covering the block with a piece of wood then whacking it with my rubber mallet. I'll also try stepping on it. I'll put a felt underneath.

I tried printing some of my other blocks -- finer-lined -- and they were too closed to print well. This technique really works best with large areas of white.

Medieval Medalion

faux print


3" sq. block

I'll be making a mess of these medieval tapestry and tile pattern blocks to mix and match for fabric printing at a fiber retreat this summer. I have some fabric inks to try out.

Color over the Top

Hippocampus, jeweltone. Or an attempt at it. Hard to tell how much color you're laying down with watercolor pencils. Definitely an attempt at going over the top.

Gold Dolphin

And here's a gold one. 8-] Daniel Smith metalic gold. Kazuko brought it in for her Koi. Smooth, easy to work with.

Bubbles

Medieval Dolphin (loosely based). 4"x6" woodcut. Going to be my largesse for Pennsic, printed in blue.

Laurels vs Pelicans

War of the Lilies XX: Laurels vs Pelicans
woodcut 4.25" sq. on 5"x7" cream paper.
Largesse for the Royals to take to Lilies.

Yellow Hippo

yellow hippo, 4"x6"
Another colored hippocampus. This one is brighter than the limey one.

Lime Hippo

hippocampus, watercolor crayons, 4"x6"

Another watercolored sea horse.

Cat & Mouse, Take 2

cat & mouse2
Another print, this one a little dark. Still playing with the watercolor crayons. 8-]

Cat & Mouse

medieval cat & mouse 4.5"x5"
This is a light copy of a drypoint that I watercolored. The cat and mouse are taken from a medieval manuscript. I'm using watercolor crayons. Nice colors, easy to get saturation.

Blue Hippo

Hippocampus w/ watercolor 4"x6"

This was a lighter print, so I thought I'd try a little watercolor on it. I used watercolor crayons on the water and then wet it with a brush. Works well I think. I used 4 or more colors of blues and greens.

Next time I'll try watercoloring the whole print.

Cat & Mouse Drypoint

Cat & Mouse copper drypoint print, 5"x5.5", from a medieval manuscript sketch. Background is a variation from other manuscripts. Lots of plate tone, but at least I'm getting the critters darker. Lots of cross hatching. A ways to go, but getting there. My first drypoint with any life in it.

Hippocampus Block

Hippocampus 4"x6"

My latest demo block, a hippocampus or sea horse. The demo went well, tho the wyvern was still the favorite print. It works best when its well inked, or the sea horse tends to blend into the background. I may carve a little more tomorrow.

Medieval Wyvern

Medieval Wyvern

Here's a print of my demo block. The school demo went very well and I think I printed a good 50 prints. I used the back of a wooden spoon, which covered more evenly, tho a smooth rock did burnish more easily. I have since made prints with a student baren, which covers the best, tho takes more pressure than the rock or the spoon.

Wyvern Block

This is a block I'm working on for a Past Times school demo. It's a wyvern, 5"sq., based on a school decal. I'll be filling in the outsides with decorative patterns from medieval illuminations. I'll ink it up and print it using the burnisher method or the mallet method, I haven't decided which.