CARVING BLOCK #5

Headed to press with the "OVERLOOK" to begin final proofing when we're done carving this last block! The 5th woodblock (4th color block) made for this lush vertical landscape print-in-progress, this block will add lots of dark green & shadowy depth...

ABOUT TO PRINT AGAIN!

The last (5th!) block for the "OVERLOOK" is now totally drawn in (and almost carved!) and the other 4 are getting fine-tuned for the beginning of final proofing in the coming week. 

With all the blocks carved, years into this massive project, we are beyond excited to start mixing colors and begin to realize this giant series of woodblocks as a big color woodcut print! 

Easily the most complex & detailed artwork we've ever made together (or apart, for that matter), the "OVERLOOK" began as a simple sketch around the time we were drawing in "THE MOON" and slowly over the years, alongside other woodcuts, took shape as an abundantly lush vertical landscape vibrating with patterns of the natural world.

Should be an exciting few weeks! Stay tuned!

LAST "OVERLOOK" BLUE!

Carving that last "OVERLOOK" woodcut blue! Whew!

THE 2ND BLUE BLOCK

Because of the wide range of greens & natural tones we want to color the "OVERLOOK" woodcut, we're making 2 woodblocks for blue (each will print a slightly different ink tone). Here, we're almost done drawing in the detail on the 2nd blue block--when this is done, we'll be carving night-and-day until it's done! 

The "OVERLOOK" woodcut is a 5 block, 46" x 30" color woodcut print-in-progress. This giant & intricate print and all of the blocks that make it are completely handmade using no computer or digital technologies (aside from the photos we take to record the making of it).  It has taken us over 2 years to make the key (in black) and all of the 4 color blocks, so you can imagine the growing excitement as we wrap up the last steps of the making and prepare to enter production on this massive project!

Accomplishing the "OVERLOOK" woodcut will start a new chapter at Tugboat Printshop.

EARLYBIRD COLOR "OVERLOOK"

The 1st color print of "OVERLOOK" will debut Friday, August 21, 2015! The print is starting to come to life in color, but still lots to do! We're working now to color balance & align all 5 woodblocks.

Above, our test proof with early proof amendments marked for change. We anticipate a dramatic transition from this early tester to the 1st color print.(Overall, too much brown here!) 

The "OVERLOOK" woodcut print is 46" x 30" with a 1" paper border. Production of the limited edition will follow the release of the 1st color proof. Pre-ordering info here! 

THE DECEMBERISTS POSTER

Almost done penning in our pencil sketch here (also already started the cutting)! This is the key block for a woodblock poster we're working on for The Decemberists. End poster will be printed from 3 hand-carved blocks in 3 colors.

Show's in Omaha on April 17th ~ so we'll be finishing up with this project very shortly. End poster size will be 18" x 24"…BIG! Stay tuned for more process & progress!