Woven Backgrounds

I like how the summer & winter woodblock print came out. I'd like to try throwing weaving into more of my prints.







Broken lozenge twill would be a good choice I think. Otherwise known as broken diamond twill.

Here's a detail from my Y1K coat in broken lozenge twill. It's a pleasing pattern. Perhaps too repetitive?

Of course summer & winter is infinitely variable, and I could stick with it for awhile.

This sampler (front and back) was woven in varieties of summer & winter mimicking Fair Isle. Greyed out they'd make good background, and otherwise they'd make good pattern texture. 8-]

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.