There are 2 techniques I use to make my prints

1. Reduction cut process
2. Multi-block process

The Reduction cut process is outlined below. In the reduction cut process, I use one piece of shina plywood. After each color has been printed, part of the block is cut away – destroying the woodblock by the end of the printing process. Because I use one block, I have to make 2 important decisions from the start...

1. How many limited edition prints to make
2. Color Order

Deciding a relative color order from the start is essential as colors can change when layered on top of each other.

There are 3 main parts to each layer:

A. Carving		B. Mixing the ink		C. Printing

Bait Ball Print Process

Printing Key:
Carving Time: includes sketching on the block and carving away the wood
Inking Time: includes mixing the ink, inking up 35 sheets of paper, and clean-up

Getting started: drawing, transferring image to the block, and preparing the paper
Time: 5 hours

Ink Layer #1: lt yellow

Inking Time: 3 hrs

Everything I want to keep lt yellow must be carved away.

Carving Time: 2 hrs

Ink Layer #2: lt grey

Inking Time: 2.5 hrs

Ink Layer #3: blue

Inking Time: 2.25 hrs

Everything I want to keep
blue must be carved away.

Carving Time: 3.25 hrs

Ink Layer #4: dk grey

Inking Time: 2.5 hrs

Ink Layer #5: Purple

Inking Time: 3.25 hrs

Everything I want to keep purple must be carved away.

Carving Time: 2.75 hrs

Ink Layer #6: Kelly Green

Inking Time: 3.75 hrs

Ink Layer #7: Red Gills

Inking Time: 3.5 hrs

Everything I want to keep red must be carved away.

Carving Time: 15 min

Ink Layer #8: Turquoise - water

Inking Time: 3 hrs

Ink Layer #9: Dk Purple
(Final Ink Layer)

Inking Time: 3.25 hrs