I printed the second layer of my woodcut this weekend. The first layer a dusty rose was to be followed by a strong Kelly green with some parts of the block inked in red. At some point between printing proofs, resolving my misaligned registration and mixing some fresh ink – almost a year – I’d changed my mind, I didn’t notice until I reached for the ink. The result is much more satisfying. Formerly I’d always used the reduction block method to layer up colours, but having multiple blocks gives the option for play. This particular print started out as a paper house printed from a single block, hence the later registration issues, it may yet become a paper house again, but before it does I’ll print it in more colours just because I can and I’ll notice the changes.
I think the coming back to a piece of work after along time works for me, like solutions to yesterday’s quandaries becoming apparent on waking. On one hand I like this, a relationship with a piece of work unfolds into something I hadn’t expected as though its coming from somewhere in me that knows me, but I’m only just getting to know it.
