The 2018 woodblock carving contest approaches, but this year instead of being held in October-November, the competition is in July ... of all things. Who can carve when the spring sun revolves into a bright shiny globe for warming the earth in the summer months?! I had to force myself to get this woodblock done. The only reason I didn't throw in the towel is that the opportunity only comes once a year, and I should never live with the regrets of having missed a meaningful opportunity and an artistic challenge ... and so I carved.
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After many, many hours of careful designing, I had my picture
and then just had to transfer it to the woodblock. |
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| The tiger and its reflection in a pool |
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| Once I had it drawn, I carefully shaded all the areas I wanted to be in well-defined bas relief. |
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| With the faces transferred, I am ready to begin the first cuts. |
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| If anyone says carving is not a messy activity, trust me, they LIE! |
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Oh yes, a very messy activity. At one point, me, my chair and my picture were very covered!
BTW, just got this chair and wow is it saving my back!!! |
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| Those whiskers just about drove me nuts, esp because something just doesn't seem right about them. |
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Something felt missing to be an authentic reflection, so added a couple of ripple-rings.
Now the idea of a reflection makes more sense. |
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| Just need a few more hours ... |
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| And the finished woodblock! |
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And then the part I dislike the most about carving ... inking the block.
It didn't come out dark enough. I'll have to buy another scroll. |
The whole process took about 37 hours to carve, and untold hours to design. Quite proud of it, but still feel that something just isn't quite right about those blasted whiskers.
