Block Print
Title: Concealed
Size: 23 x 15 cm
October 2016
Exhibition Text:
This block print piece was created based on the theme of identity. It is apart of the "Flight" series, where I am able to express my thoughts about the feminine body. This piece was inspired by works of Amy Judd due her ability to connect women with birds. This piece is meant to communicate how women are often seen as fragile beings but in our heads we know that women are capable of being stronger and braver.
This block print piece was created based on the theme of identity. It is apart of the "Flight" series, where I am able to express my thoughts about the feminine body. This piece was inspired by works of Amy Judd due her ability to connect women with birds. This piece is meant to communicate how women are often seen as fragile beings but in our heads we know that women are capable of being stronger and braver.
Artistic Inspiration
My block print piece was inspired by the artist, Amy Judd. She is most known for creating portraits of women and the female body being full of beauty and mystery. The two pieces portrayed below were inspired by the relationship between women and nature, in this case being birds. These seem to be based off the themes of mythology by providing natural elements. For my piece, I wanted to show how a women is feminine and fragile, but still has the ability to be seen as strong and brave. It shows a lot of sensitivity yet it still portrays a strong image which is similar to the works of Amy Judd.
Experimentation
Before attempting to start the block print, I had to begin by experimenting with different ideas, material, and sketches. After this, I did research on several artists and was able to find one to base my work on. When this was done, I was able to start my sketches.
After I completed my sketches, I began to pick out which materials I was going to use.
For my final sketch, I decided to take a combination of my sketches to create a new look for my piece. I experimented with my new sketch by drawing it on to the linoleum black.
After I completed my sketches, I began to pick out which materials I was going to use.
For my final sketch, I decided to take a combination of my sketches to create a new look for my piece. I experimented with my new sketch by drawing it on to the linoleum black.
Finally, my last experimentation was putting ink onto the surface of my block print. and transferring it onto the drawing paper. This was a difficult step for my because I had never worked with block printing ink before. During this step I learned that I had to maintain the paper underneath clean so that the extra ink from the sides wouldn't transfer onto the final paper as well.
Process
1. Finding ideas
First I had to pick a theme that I wanted to portray through my artwork. I then began to do research on the theme by looking through my notes and the internet. After this I was able to find two artworks to draw inspiration from.
First I had to pick a theme that I wanted to portray through my artwork. I then began to do research on the theme by looking through my notes and the internet. After this I was able to find two artworks to draw inspiration from.
2. Finding Inspiration
While going through different sources, I was able to narrow down my inspirations to one artist. I chose Amy Judd because I was drawn to her use of bird's wings on the female body, beause of the way they are strong yet fragile.
While going through different sources, I was able to narrow down my inspirations to one artist. I chose Amy Judd because I was drawn to her use of bird's wings on the female body, beause of the way they are strong yet fragile.
3. Planning and Sketching
To start off I created at least three planning sketches. Each represented the same idea just with a different placement of the wings.
To start off I created at least three planning sketches. Each represented the same idea just with a different placement of the wings.
4. Transferring the Sketch onto the Surface
I chose to transfer my sketch onto the block surface by redrawing it directly. This caused a few changes, mostly on the size of the piece. This technique allowed me to plan and shade the areas in which I was planning to carve.
I chose to transfer my sketch onto the block surface by redrawing it directly. This caused a few changes, mostly on the size of the piece. This technique allowed me to plan and shade the areas in which I was planning to carve.
5. Carving
This step was the most difficult for me because of the fact that I have never worked with block printing before. I started by carving out the wings first and then I moved onto the body. I realized that in order for the inking to work I had to put more emphasis on the carving in order for it to not appear on the transferred image.
This step was the most difficult for me because of the fact that I have never worked with block printing before. I started by carving out the wings first and then I moved onto the body. I realized that in order for the inking to work I had to put more emphasis on the carving in order for it to not appear on the transferred image.
6. Transferring
In order to begin this step I first had to gather all of my materials. This included the drawing paper, ink, paper for the surface of the table, the rolling tool, and transferring circle. I then started placing a sheet of paper on the table to protect it from getting dirty. I placed my block print over that. I then put some ink onto a tray and used the rolling tool to roll it out evenly. Next, I rolled the ink onto my carving. I rolled it in several directions in order to make sure that it was completely covered in ink. Once the ink was evenly spread, I placed the drawing paper over it and used the transferring circle to transfer it onto the paper. After passing it over a few seconds I lifted the paper off the linoleum block to reveal the transferred image. Lastly, I put my finished piece on a drying rack and cleaned off my tools.
In order to begin this step I first had to gather all of my materials. This included the drawing paper, ink, paper for the surface of the table, the rolling tool, and transferring circle. I then started placing a sheet of paper on the table to protect it from getting dirty. I placed my block print over that. I then put some ink onto a tray and used the rolling tool to roll it out evenly. Next, I rolled the ink onto my carving. I rolled it in several directions in order to make sure that it was completely covered in ink. Once the ink was evenly spread, I placed the drawing paper over it and used the transferring circle to transfer it onto the paper. After passing it over a few seconds I lifted the paper off the linoleum block to reveal the transferred image. Lastly, I put my finished piece on a drying rack and cleaned off my tools.
Reflection
Overall the block print process was fairly easy. The steps were uncomplicated, allowing for me to quickly get it done. If I were to go back and change the way I approached this piece, I would make sure that I payed more attention to detail. I know that my piece would have turned out better if I had spent more time on the edges and piece overall.
ACT Questions
ACT Questions
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
Concealed was inspired by Avion, which was created by Amy Judd. This painting represents female's relationship with nature and freedom and that is why the body is shown with bird wings. I wanted to portray the wing's ability to make us free, which is why I chose this as my inspiration.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my research uses nature. This technique and the theme of the painting makes it look beautiful yet mysterious. The author describes every aspect of the painting as an avion.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Throughout my research I found that there are a lot of people that want to be seen as strong rather than fragile. They don't see that they are capable of being much more than just a fragile being. Another thing that I learned was that this could tie in with identity. The piece could portray someone trying to figure out who they are or what they want to be.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme that I focused on was identity and nature. I researched mostly in nature because I wanted to give the body wings to look strong yet fragile..
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The inferences that I made while doing my research were that there are many artist, similar to Amy Judd that are using the same techniques, placing an image over a face.
1. Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
Concealed was inspired by Avion, which was created by Amy Judd. This painting represents female's relationship with nature and freedom and that is why the body is shown with bird wings. I wanted to portray the wing's ability to make us free, which is why I chose this as my inspiration.
2. What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of my research uses nature. This technique and the theme of the painting makes it look beautiful yet mysterious. The author describes every aspect of the painting as an avion.
3. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Throughout my research I found that there are a lot of people that want to be seen as strong rather than fragile. They don't see that they are capable of being much more than just a fragile being. Another thing that I learned was that this could tie in with identity. The piece could portray someone trying to figure out who they are or what they want to be.
4. What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme that I focused on was identity and nature. I researched mostly in nature because I wanted to give the body wings to look strong yet fragile..
5) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
The inferences that I made while doing my research were that there are many artist, similar to Amy Judd that are using the same techniques, placing an image over a face.