Ukiyoe Heroes (1) : Rickshaw Cart - first proof

Here is the very first proof sheet being pulled from the key block for Jed Henry's print featuring a certain Italian plumber! It was carved by Tokyo woodblock printmaking David Bull: visit http://woodblock.com for more details.

• Category

  Gaming

[FaceToTwoFaced]

Amazing!

What is the name of the last tool you use to straighten it all??

[David Bull]

I'm not quite sure what you mean exactly. The circular round pad that I use to actually press the paper onto the wood is known as a バレン (baren) in Japanese.

[SpartanM621]

How many copies can be created from this single etching? 

[David Bull]

It is possible to print many thousands of copies from a single woodblock like this, _if_ the printing is done carefully, and the block is allowed to dry out between batches. In the old days, this is how the famous ukiyo-e prints were made, some of them in batches of many thousands indeed. Jed and I have no plan to make such tremendous quantities, of course...

[David Bull]

It's because this particular block will be used only for printing black lines. The flower will be in colours, and will thus be on other blocks.

[Epi Cai]

The original copy machine! Awesome!

[FaceToTwoFaced]

That's what I meant! Seems like a wonderful tool. When I'm printing I use an enormous press in an art studio, but this way I can make wonderful prints just at home.

[Shweetooth]

How much would it cost me to buy all of your paintings as lithographs like you just did? just the pictures on really good paper? maybe with color but maybe not?

[MIKAmovie1]

素晴らしいです！！

[David Bull]

If you enjoy these sounds, then you will _really_ enjoy the 'Soundscape with Kingfisher' that I published a while back. I recorded my work routine, and while doing so, we had a visit from one of our most spectacular local birds ... Seems I can't put a link here, but if you go to my woodblock [dot] com website, you'll find it in the 'Diversions' section ...

[popohori]

素晴らしい！！！

感動した！！！