Drawing to Carving "PAGE TURNER" Woodcut

The new "PAGE TURNER" Woodcut in the works! Prints start as drawings directly on blocks of 3/4" plywood; drawings are carved in low relief using little knives/gauges/chisels. Ink is rolled across the raised surface of the finished carving to create impressions of the block on fine paper. 

"PAGE TURNER" is currently on pre-order with 2 options -- B&W (as shown on the website here) or color (still in progress).  More details about this new woodcut-in-progress HERE!

-Valerie | T.B.P.S.

PRINTING "YOUNG PINES"

Printing the "YOUNG PINES" woodcut this week! Edition of 100 prints, coming right up! Still a chance to pre-order on our site & get on board for the first mass mailing. Buy an original print HERE!

PRINTING "ACORN" WOODCUTS

Producing the "ACORN" woodcut began this week! Earth tones rainbow across the first block to print (top pic), brown to gold to green. The key block adds most of the "ACORN" detailing. Ornamental markings suggest vibrating energy at work. A mighty oak shoots straight out the acorn's cap! 

"ACORN" is 13" x 10" on Natural Kitakata (off-white) paper.  100 prints, going fast! Get your copy HERE!

MAKING "OVERLOOK" BLUE SKIES

Moving info from one "OVERLOOK" woodblock to another "OVERLOOK" woodblock (through transfer--printing from one block to another). Once this dries, we'll draw & carve the final details of the expansive blue sky and be ready to roll!!!

5 total woodblocks make the "OVERLOOK" woodcut, a huge print-in-progress we're about to wrap up that we've been working on on-and-off for the past 3 years. 

We'll be updating the print's webpage with new proof pictures as we get them, but you can get an idea of the current direction of the print HERE or access all of our in-progress shots to date HERE. 

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!

PRINTS GONE WILD 2015

Tugboat Printshop will be making the trip to Brooklyn for Prints Gone Wild 2015 during NYC Print Week this year! Mark your calendars, join the event! 

DRAWING "OVERLOOK" SKY

"OVERLOOK" color blocks have taken over our entire basement workspace! Almost done drawing in the sky on the light blue block & then we'll transfer this to the others & make more sky magic happen! First proof will be along shortly after these are carved, the fire burns in our bellies to get this print done!

T.B.P.S. IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN!

Excited to be making the trip to Minneapolis, MN this weekend! We'll be exhibiting Tugboat Printshop woodcuts at the Highpoint Center for Printmaking Open Portfolio IV! T.B.P.S. prints will be available for view & purchase during the 2nd session this Saturday, June 27, from 3:30-5pm. 

Let us if there are certain prints you'd like to buy in person! We'll be sure to bring them along with us!

PRINTING "DAISY BOUQUET"

The "DAISY BOUQUET" woodcut, a new 20" x 16" print in our shop!  Published from 2 blocks on Natural Kitakata Paper. Drawn, carved, and printed by the artists. Edition of 100 prints.

YELLOW BLOCK FOR "LOG"

The final piece of the "LOG" woodcut puzzle--the yellow block! 4 blocks together make the final artwork. More about that & all the blocks (and first proof!) here.

RED & YELLOW LOG BLOCKS

More "LOG" updates! Drawing on 2 transfers here, from the key block & the blue block. Carving now begins! Expecting to be mixing ink to proof by early next week! 

"MAMA BEAR" IS BACK!

The last of the "MAMA BEAR" woodcuts are in the online shop! Printed from 4 handmade blocks onto natural Kitakata paper, 16" x 20". Final picture coming soon! Reference the oldie on the site for a general idea. 

MAMA BEAR'S BACK!

Printing up "MAMA BEAR" prints this week!

"MAMA BEAR" is printed from 4 hand-drawn, hand-carved blocks onto a natural toned Kitakata paper. Take a look at a finished print!

THE "COMMUNITY" WOODCUT

The "COMMUNITY" woodcut, a 16" x 20" view of an imagined neighborhood & surrounding greenspaces. Probably one of the most intricate prints we've carved to date, full of charming small detail work! Little tiny shingles, little tiny logs! A pleasant mixing of urban & rural. Printed from 4 hand-drawn, hand-carved woodblocks by the two of us.

Read more about the making & get one HERE!

OVERLOOK PROGRESS

In the final stretch  carving the "OVERLOOK" key!

Come and see it on Saturday (details here)!

2 years drawing and weeks & weeks of carving and it's almost complete!

More photos here | Pre-order here