Key block for "PAGE TURNER" Woodcut

Had to post a few shots of the finished "PAGE TURNER" key block carving before ink; such a crisp, clean cut! This print-in-progress is available for pre-order as either a B&W or color print--limited time, limited editions; more details here.

-Valerie | T.B.P.S.

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.

"JEWEL" Woodcut-in-Progress - NEW!

New project in the works! The "JEWEL" woodcut will be 7" x 6" on Natural Kitakata paper, printed from 2-3 blocks. This block (the key) will not be printed in graphic black--my aim is for the print to have an multi-color, jewel-like vibe.  Expect a few colorful split fountains (rainbow rolls)... A small print, but a rather large jewel!

I've posted the pre-order for "JEWEL" in the T.B.P.S. online shop, and as with all pre-orders at Tugboat, the price will go up when production wraps up! (I won't be dragging my feet, but it might take a couple weeks to get from here to finished edition.) Feel free to watch along; I'll post around as progress is made on this and some others!

XO, Valerie

FINE-TUNING "OVERLOOK" BLOCKS

Final proof coming! We're color balancing & carving our last fixes in preparation for printing that for real color proof of the "OVERLOOK" woodcut this week! Hoping to have final print decisions made by Friday, and a newsletter to share it with y'all!

5 total blocks make the "OVERLOOK" woodcut print, years in the making (we haven't counted hours by boy it's been a LOT!) 

Join up to our mailing list to be the first to see how this epic project wraps up! Just enter your email at www.tugboatprintshop.com!

LAST BATCH OF 'DAISIES'!

New "DAISY BOUQUET" woodcuts, hand-printed from 2 woodblocks, done & drying in the racks! The last batch of prints from this popular edition (going fast!), available exclusively in our little online shop! More info & pics of the finished print HERE.

LAST "OVERLOOK" BLUE!

Carving that last "OVERLOOK" woodcut blue! Whew!

PRINTING "LEFT RIGHT"

Printed up the edition of "LEFT RIGHT" in classic black on Natural Kitakata paper this past week, prints are now dry & ready to ship out! See better photos of the finished print, available at a special rate in a limited edition run, HERE>>>

NEW THIS WEEK!

Triangular woodcut sketch! 1/2 of a new woodcut print to debut this week. Stay tuned for a post or join our news at www.tugboatprintshop.com!

DETAILS OF BLUE #2

Carving on the 2nd blue block and final color block for the upcoming "OVERLOOK" woodcut has begun! A dense forest to carve through, but this block will add a secondary green tone to the printed image, along with shadow/depth between vertical landscape layers in the print as a whole. (A couple details of the 2nd blue block in progress above) Exciting!

Once carved, we'll finally be able to see the first real glimpses of our vision for the "OVERLOOK" color woodcut print taking shape. The print, which is designed to be both a singular vertical artwork or an infinitely expandable horizontal landscape diptych/triptych/installation, will be lush with color and pattern beyond anything we've ever made.

We have tried our best to document the work on this print, but no number of photos can do it proper justice! It's difficult to communicate both the intricacy & scale. We've collected the best into this photoset. 

Our online shop features a brief intro to the print & process of making it, with the ability to pre-order at an introductory rate (for just a limited while longer!)

Here goes!

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! 

PROOFING "OVERLOOK" BEGINS!

Proofing on the big "OVERLOOK" woodcut has officially begun! Stay tuned for the big unveiling of the 1st proof in color on Friday, August 21st, 2015! Join up to our mailing list for 1st details.

FINE-TUNING "OVERLOOK" COLOR

We're going back through all of the "OVERLOOK" color blocks in preparation for first color proofing! We'll print a handful of copies during the proofing process, slowly fine-tuning color on each of the 5 blocks and carving the last block details, before we arrive at a finished 1st color proof. The 1st color proof will be a guide for how we mix & print during production. The full edition size of "OVERLOOK" will be 100 limited edition prints.We are planning to unveil the 1st color proof on Friday, August 21st, 2015 in the T.B.P.S. newsletter. Join up by entering your e-mail at www.tugboatprintshop.com and be the first to see & hear the latest details about the big "OVERLOOK" woodcut landscape!

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!

"DAISY BOUQUET" WOODCUT PROGRESS

 

Some details from the carving of the key block for the "DAISY BOUQUET" woodcut. Big blooms burst from branching stems, each blossom fringed with white-tinted petals (the 2nd block prints this petal color). Flower centers are tipped with a varying patternwork of star-snapped pollens. 

A still-life composition, printed from 2 woodblocks in dark & light, the "DAISY BOUQUET" is a pretty & classic print.

The "DAISY BOUQUET" print has now been proofed and is currently in production here at our shop! Stay tuned for printing photos & see the print here!

DAISY BOUQUET - COMING JUNE 5!

Playing, inspired by all the new spring growth, pencil sketches starting directly on on wood and blossoming forth into pen drawings that are now being made into woodcuts! 

This one will be some combo of classic black & white on natural toned paper, a daisy bouquet. 

The 'Daisies' woodcut print will debut online in this Friday's Tugboat Printshop newsletter! (June 5th, 2015) Sign up to our mailing list to be the 1st to see & get an original printed copy of the finished b&w print: www.tugboatprintshop.com

BIG RED!

The red block for the "OVERLOOK" woodcut is now carved, making 3 color blocks. We just proofed the 3 together with the key and now begin the process of going back to each of the blocks to refine, carve more, and fine tune how the colors will layer in the finished print. Throughout this process, we'll also be making one more block, which will add shadows, more greens, and a deeper dimension to space within the tiered landscape. Shouldn't be too long and we'll have a solid 1st proof to share! 

BLUE, RED, YELLOW FOR OVERLOOK

1, 2, 3 color woodblocks so far for the "OVERLOOK"! Plus the key block makes 4 (the key is the detail block, printed in a dark tone, see that on our site). Shouldn't be long & we'll be headed to press to begin the process of inking & proofing! Size of this print will be about 44" tall by 28" wide, bleed off the paper edges. 

Everything we make is totally handmade, drawn & carved & printed by hand. This process takes time, but yields really dramatic results! The blocks above will be carved even more as the print develops on press. An additional 4th color block will be carved to add even more rich color tone after we see these three above proofed together with the key.