Lino Test

My first lino print! Actually, my first relief print of any kind. I think it came out alright. I used some heavy printmaking paper since I have a bunch of scraps lying around from last semester. I think thinner paper is supposed to work better for relief printing, but this seemed to work okay (maybe the edges would have been crisper with thinner paper?)



This is a character I've been doodling lately for a series of images titled CONQUER EARTH. I'm designing some other characters and plan to make a series of prints and illustrations around this concept. More details once I've developed it a bit more. I'm hoping for a certain xmas present this winter that will give me access to a print studio so I can make some intaglio prints for the really big ideas. Until then, I'm going to practice with lino.

First Lino cut

Woah, long time no post. The lack of a printing press in my life is pretty depressing. But here's a lino block I carved tonight! My first one ever! A few years ago my mom took a relief printmaking class, and it just so happened that she had a few pieces of linoleum hidden away in the basement along with the cutting tools. The linoleum seemed a bit...hard...and some of the tools a bit dull, but all things considered I don't think it came out too bad.



The dark stuff on it is just some chalk pastel that I rubbed over the surface to see what it looked like. Unfortunately I don't have any inks so I can't print it tonight. That's another adventure for another day.

Yudu Test

Trying out the Yudu! The enclosed exposure unit is really cool. I cut out a simple stencil to test it.



[Insert missing steps here]

And here's the print.



Overall, it was easier to use than I expected, given all the negative reviews online. The emulsion sheet adhered to the screen well, although the fan took quite a while to dry the emulsified screen. I wasn't in a hurry so I just left the fan on for a few cycles, but a hair dryer would probably get the job done faster. The 8 minute timer was perfect for exposing the screen and the unexposed areas washed out easily. Since the screens are flat, they're easy to tape off and clean, which I really appreciated. I used regular Speedball ink rather than the Yudu ink and it worked fine. In the future I'll probably add some extender or just be more generous with the amount of ink I use. The print itself turned out really crisp and beautiful.

So, the Yudu is a pretty cool device. Can't wait to use it for some real prints, now that I've done this little test! Many t-shirts to come.

Final Cat Prints

Still missing an epic title. Another project I should add to my previously posted to-do list is coming up with a title for this piece! I also still want to write a simple story in French to go along with the print. I mean...look at him...he's begging to have his snooty story told.



Edition of 5



Edition of 2

Yay! I'm happy with it and would like to try more multi-plate color work in the future.

Also, thanks to my best buddy Sara King I've discovered the magic of deviantart's portfolio feature. My page is kind of blah right now but I'm going to work on making it into a nice little portfolio: penelopeyocum.daportfolio.com.
I definitely want to make an image to replace to generic "Welcome" thing on the main page.

Oh and...I'm graduating tomorrow! I don't actually feel terribly excited but maybe it'll suddenly hit me tomorrow when I wake up. Or when I'm listening to the commencement speaker. Or when I'm walking up to get my diploma. Hopefully it'll sink in at one of those points.

Summer Goals

The semester (and my career as an undergrad) is quickly coming to an end. I'm hoping to make lots of prints this summer though, and hopefully take some printmaking classes in the fall if I have time.

Some specific projects I want to complete this summer:
-Two-color gocco prints
-Complete stationary sets (right now I have a bunch of cards printed but no envelopes...need to remedy that!)
-Small hand drawn/printed books--possibly small linocuts.
-SCREEN PRINTING! I really want to get a legit exposure unit set-up and calibrated so I can create screens with the photo emulsion technique.

This summer I'll be working as a Residential Advisor at the Center for Creative Youth at Wesleyan University. I'm looking forward to it, and am hoping to conduct a screen printing workshop for the students. So, before that all begins at the end of June, I'm going to design an image to use in the workshop. Actually creating a screen during a workshop would be a bit too time-consuming I think, so I'm planning on creating the screen ahead of time, then explaining the process during the workshop and letting the students print on their own shirts/bandannas/what ever using the pre-made screen. I'll have my supplies there, so if a few students are really interested in creating their own screens, I can always work with them independently after the workshop.

Part of what I'm looking forward to at CCY is a potential break-through regarding my feelings toward teaching. I've only had experience teaching my peers, so teaching high school students should be an interesting (hopefully enjoyable) challenge. I know I'll be returning to school in the next year or two. But first I need to figure out what I really want to do.