Block Prints

For this design, we were asked create a self-portrait print . We first found or look a picture of our selves, then made that photo strictly black and white. Next, we transferred this image onto the cork board and began carving away the parts that remain white. After carving, we began the printing project. Because the highlight were carved, when printed it would be these areas that would stay white in the print, and the areas the when inked over would be dark. We had to create four different prints; black and white, alternate background, artists choice, and one where we could create a piece of are on a black and white piece.

To create this piece, I used value, as the majority was centered around the idea of positive and negative space. the highlights were the carved areas of the cork board, and the non-carves, flat areas, when printed were the black contours. I would often have to revise how much ink i used; too little and the final product would look patchy, but too much and the ink would invade areas that should be highlighted. I also would frequently print and then see a flaw in the carving. It took me about ten revisions to the cork board before the final printed product matched my face. These frequent changes helped my project come to life. Not only this the changes in the features of my face help of project come to life, but also the different backgrounds; the ocean, the purple fabric, and the vines. These helped the prints have more personality and individuality.

Although the actual self portrait does not represent anythings but myself, the three creative backgrounds each represent something that I love. The ocean and island for my home, Maine, the purple fabric alternate background for my childhood, and the berry vines for my lake house and traveling. This project relates to my life in the way that each image represents an aspect of it. I am most proud of the print with the vines of watercolor and pen. I feel that this does not take away from the portrait, but rather frames it using the lines created by the vines to do so. I struggled the most with coming up with ideas for the background of each print that would not take away from the features, but rather make them more interesting or pleasing to look at. I wish that for the alternate background I choose something that related to my life in a more visible or specific way rather than the overarching theme of childhood. To fix this in the future, I would bring something in from my house so that it could have a closer, more accurate connection.