Choice ProjectMedium: Linoleum Block Print
Size: 9"x12" Date of Completion: March 18, 2024 Exhibition Text: I found lots of success and enjoyment in the creation of one of a block print from last semester, which was my first exposure to the Linoleum Block Print medium. When presented with the opportunity to create a choice project, I wanted to revisit block printing because I spent a lot of time developing skills last time, and it came much quicker to me now. This project was inspired by a visit at the Milwaukee Art Museum where I saw the German Expressionist art of Lyonel Feininger, specifically a work of his with similar themes represented to mine. I also wanted to focus on contrast between geometric and organic shapes, as if the two are clashing against each other and creating a storm. |
Artistic InspirationPlanningTo the right is an image of my reference sketch. I created it by tracing the dimensions of the linoleum sheet. I first outlined the geometric cloud and rain shapes. For the boat, I was inspired by the classic schooner style sailboat. I also added a detail where the rear sail is torn from its boom and flaps in the wind. I thought that adding this would help show the chaos of the storm and the extent to which the boat is being overwhelmed.
ProcessTo start, I carved out the boat to experiment with the different carving attachments and techniques. The boat required many different widths of lines. For example, the area in between the middle sail and mast needed attachment #1, while the area inside sails was more efficient using a wider carver. I also experimented with the depth of cut. As you can see, some areas were too deep and punctured the back of the linoleum sheet. I used attachment #3 for the lightning bold because i wanted it to be thin and jagged, which the semicircle carvers could not accomplish.
I continued carving in the rain and wind sections using attachment #1. I struggled specifically with keeping the curving wind lines skinny, but found success experimenting with different grips that allowed me to apply various levels of pressure to carve deeper or shallower.
ExperimentationWith all these elements to consider, it took dozens of attempts to cleanly transmit the image I wanted onto the paper. While the majority of the physical workload comes from the carving process, creating a neat print without blemishes takes up an almost equal amount of time. It might seem like there is an element of luck involved, but I found that through trial and error I could consistently print clean copies if I corrected the variables. There were numerous variables to consider, including viscosity of ink, amount of ink, rolling pressure, and pressure/time of printing on paper.
Final PrintFor my most successful print, I had to deliberately measure out the amount of fresh ink, and roll/press it slowly and carefully. I found this print to be successful because the lines are sharp and defined, and the areas of white and black are opaque.
CritiqueIn comparison with my inspirations, I find the most similarity to Feininger's artwork with mood and line. I was inspired by the jagged lines he used to create the chaos of the storm, and attempted to recreate the same effect in my art. Our artworks contrast because he uses an abstract style to represent the boat, while I chose to create it true to its original appearance.
Reflection
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the final product of this project. Before I began printing, I was fairly concerned that the linoleum carving would be inaccurate or not functional, and I would not have time to restart a new one. However, while it took multiple attempts to get a perfect print, the block print itself did its job very well. I am proud of my work because I was able to master a new medium that I was unfamiliar with, and explore the techniques required to make a clean print.
Bibliography
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For this project, I drew inspiration from an German abstract artist named Lyonel Feininger. His artistic practice focuses on abstract paintings and block prints of boats, storms, and churches. To the left is a print that features a large abstract galleon in an abstract thunderstorm. He uses sharp lines and angles to emphasize the chaotic energy of a storm at sea. I first discovered his art at the Milwaukee Art Museum, where some of his block prints are a part of the permanent collection. I was inspired by how the artwork had a large presence despite its small dimensions. In my artwork, I implemented similar style to the storm clouds, and differed in the style of the boat, which I represented less abstract than Feininger's art.
I also drew inspiration from a print artist named Martha Kelly. I wanted to contrast the jagged geometric elements from Feininger's art with more organic ones. I thought that representing the wind would have effective contrast, and Kelly's block print inspired this idea. The way she represents wind was very inspiring to me because it captures the movement of wind blowing through the artwork.
Before I could begin carving, I first had to translate the reference drawing onto the linoleum sheet. To do this, I shaded the backside of the reference drawing with graphite and then attached it to the linoleum using tape. Then, by tracing the original drawing, the graphite is translated onto the linoleum. I had to redo this process multiple times because the graphite frequently got smudged or I added the wrong line. I also had to consider which parts of the print would be cut into and which would be a part of the print. Although the translation was not perfect, it worked well because I only needed it to reference where the parts of the print are located.
Final CarvingIf I didn't thoroughly cover the roller in ink before applying it to the linoleum, the resulting image would have noticeable spots of visible paper. When using a smoothing tool called a baren, I had to be deliberate about covering the whole sheet with equal pressure, or the color of the image would not be opaque. I also had to fine tune the amount of ink used. Too little meant that some areas were opaque while others transparent, and too much ink caused the color to bleed into areas intentionally left white. Each of these factors was very delicate and required a practiced hand after many attempts.
I drew inspiration from Martha Kelly's artwork specifically with her use of organic line. While wind is invisible in real life, the curving group of lines she uses to represent wind effectively mimics the emotion and effect of a swirling gust of wind.
ACT QuestionsClearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
My inspirations contrasted each other, and I harnessed this contrast in my artwork by placing the two styles next to each other. What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration? Feininger's intention with his art was to create an abstract representation of the emotion created by a chaotic setting. I implemented this in my own art by creating jagged storm shapes, high waves, and contrast with color. What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration? I learned lots about the intention of german expressionist artists. Feininger belongs to this movement along with artists like Kathe Kollwitz. This movement intended to evoke the inner emotions of the artist, and is sometimes easily represented through abstraction. What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?. My theme is Exploration of the Natural World. The ship is a symbol of exploration, and the storm setting represents the struggles found in exploration and growth. What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research? I inferred that Feininger used block print as his primary medium, but he also painted similar scenes in an abstract style. |