Following the Ullapool residency I began making woodcuts- the prototypes for this project.
I tried naively to create multiple colour layers that each needed registration, and I cut holes through the blocks that helped (slightly) to align each layer in turn by spotting marks on the paper below.
But the results were so-so, and easily mis-aligned. A 1mm gap at the top of a 3metre roll of paper would be a 12cm gap at the bottom, so it was a real nightmare. Mis-registration almost killed the whole project.
It didn’t help that I was creating a ‘hard-bed’ for the paper and laying the blocks face-down onto it to help me register each block individually. But then I was able to arrange a meeting with the organisers of Spike Print Studios in Bristol. They pointed out that I was using these print blocks, well… like bock-prints! Also they suggested I start with a layout on the bed (in acetate or similar) and place all of the blocks face up, carefully laying the paper over it to press. This is still an unknown element of the project as I have only done limited tests, and the final works I am aiming for are 3m x 1.8m, but this seems like the most feasible approach.
But, their very logical solution was to print only once and rule out the registration altogether. Unfortunately I like the textures and patterns of the blocks, so this would mean choosing between b&w with patterns, simplifying the whole work for colour, or attempting to make thousands of small interlocking detail blocks.
In the end I have decided to go with a combination- reducing all colour layers into one multi-block layer of a few dozen colour blocks, and a second black ink layer registered over the top. So that is what I will start on Next week, re-making interlocking colour components for the prototype figure.
Registration is going to be a huge nightmare so I will continue this theme another time. Any suggestions much appreciated!
