nicoleap

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Experiment with carving rubber
Experiment with carving rubber
My pen control is still pretty crude post injury and a friend suggested carving rubber blocks as its so soft it would be easier on my hand than a wood cut. So I did this little experiment earlier this week.

The rubber was indeed very soft and smooth. Unfortunately its not very compatible with my woodcutting tools. So I did not quite get the finish I was after. I am going to try another rubber block soon with a different tool to see how that goes. The good news is the rubber went pretty well in the press. (much better than lino goes through my machines).

Its been so long since I cracked open my inks they have developed really cool skins on top of the can. the last break from printing I had a lot of my ink spoilt so these funny little growths saved my ink and I am really greatful!
Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.32.09 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.32.09 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.32.46 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.32.46 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.32.22 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.32.22 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.33.13 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.33.13 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.32.55 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.32.55 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.33.05 AM

Screen Shot 2012-03-24 at 6.33.05 AM

March 23, 2012

Typography

SuzanneCarterNZ commented on March 23, 2012 1:54pm
very cool work, hope you get the strength back in your hand soon xo
nicoleap commented on March 23, 2012 1:57pm
Thanks so much Suzanne. Its getting stronger everyday. there are still some tasks I do where the nerve pain is really bad but seeing improvement is great so I really can't complain! have a great weekend.
Jeannette Stutzman commented on March 23, 2012 1:59pm
Thanks for sharing all these images. I love the image you made : )
Gréta Thórsdóttir commented on March 23, 2012 3:18pm
love the art you created! thank you for sharing:)
nicoleap commented on March 23, 2012 3:54pm
thanks Jeanette and Greta I Appreciate your feedback and support!
Mr. E commented on March 23, 2012 4:54pm
looks good. No real difference to a linocut and probably a lot easier to carve.
Elephant Trunk Studio commented on March 23, 2012 5:51pm
I love getting to peek into this process with the pictures...very cool! I love linocuts and will have to try carving rubber now. Best wishes to you! :o)
nicoleap commented on March 24, 2012 2:14pm
Mr. E - Thanks so much - it was much easier to carve and easier to mount to bring to type high - but also the rubber seemed to accept the ink better than lino. I usually print with soy based and sometimes oil based inks. I don't used rubber based ink much (only because I like the enviro credentials of soy) but it seems thats the direction forward for most letterpress printers. So I will have to see how a rubber plate and rubber ink work together... The only other difference to consider is your tools. I use wood carving tools and they were a bit to heavy and clumsy given the surface was so soft. I think rubber needs super sharp super precision. So that will be my next test. new tool + rubber ink.

Lindsey - thank you so much for the kind words and support. I love to see process too - and the process and experimentation is what excites me most about design. So I will be sure to post some more process shots... and I am hoping to do a stop animation of a piece I will be printing later this year. Have an excellent weekend.
Catherine Holcombe commented on March 24, 2012 3:29pm
Wow, so fascinating!!! Thank you for sharing your process...hope you get back to full strength soon! Perhaps you have discovered another strength within you...♥
nicoleap commented on March 25, 2012 1:52pm
Thank you so much Catherine. I think I have found a new strength and perhaps a new style or aesthetic too!
Hugo Barros commented on March 25, 2012 5:04pm
yep!nice work!
nicoleap commented on March 26, 2012 1:24pm
Cheers Hugo!