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| Proof of tiny deer plate #1 |
A busy (and very hot) week in Artlandia!
First, I printed the tiny deer plate from
last week - testing out new techniques for Copper Sulphate etching of Aluminum plate with BIG ground (drumroll...)
I think it's a good first attempt (gold star!), but... there were definitely aspects I wanted to make adjustments to, so...
Tiny deer plate #2, which is roughly a mirror image of tiny deer plate #1 with all the compositional elements slightly larger.
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| For this plate, I wanted to include more line work from the initial phase of etching in the background (especially the tree) as well as the deer because I felt like it would help unify the composition as a whole. |
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| I still added the tone in stages with multiple phases of masking - here is an in process stage after the deer had been masked out. |
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| On the press bed all inked and ready to print |
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| State proof with quarter for scale |
For Comparison:
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| Proof of the first plate with quarter for scale |
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| Proof of the second plate with quarter for scale |
Overall, I think the second plate has better contrast, and the first plate is more subtle with the mid-tones. I think bringing the line work into the tree worked well. It's a good start and still ahead - editioning both plates, then more practice to refine the technique.
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From above, with Mo seeming
content despite his seemingly
precarious (at least to the human)
position. |
In creature news, Max and Mo continue to grow and thrive, and I love seeing them playing and cuddling together.
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| I can't believe they both fit on the top of the cat tree. |
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| Kitten Pisces |
Max is still shy and a little hesitant, but he definitely loves Mo and is gradually getting more comfortable being around Mini. He's started coming over to his human for pets (good boy :) ) and is quickly picking up on the concept of "treats" from watching Mini and Mo (though he doesn't run over at the sound of the bag - yet ;) ). And speaking of kittens learning by observation...
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| Here is Mini teaching Mo about the press:"Our human really likes this, so it's important that we make sure to biscuit it and nap here. regularly," "Ahhhh," thinks the little one. |
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| It has been very hot and I've been doing my best to make the house comfortable for the creatures. Luckily, Mini is a very smart kitty and always able to find the best napping spot in any room - here she is between the fan and the flowers. |
Poor Honey, the heat is hard on her, and I'm not sure she really understands why her human won't take her outside during the afternoon (she sits by the door around the time we usually go out and looks at me hopefully with her "now we go for a walk? Pleeeeeeease O:)" expression). Here she is with ice water and a new fox toy (already missing a few parts).
One up side to is that we've gotten to see lots of pretty skies during long walks at dusk. Landscape shots of the week:
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| An excellent no filter sunset |
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| I like the the star in this one. |
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| This is a no filter shot where a very photogenic kitty graced us with their presence. :) |
