BLOCK PRINT
OverviewTitle: "Growth"
Size: 15 cm x 23 cm Medium: Linoleum Carving Block Completion: September 2022 Exhibition TextMy piece by the name of "Growth" is intended to showcase the stages of healing (both good and bad) and then ultimately finding peace. My art work is a realistic representation of the five stages of emotional healing through the growth of a poppy flower. The art piece was inspired by artists Nicola Mountney's single plant paintings and Andy Warhol's pop art prints. It was executed through the use of a linoleum carving tool and a linoleum carving block.
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inspiration
My inspirations for conducting the block print consisted of Nicola Mountney and Andy Warhol.
Artist in Focus: Nicola Mountney
I came across Mountney's work when looking for ideas for the block print. The paintings I took inspiration from consisted of a single flower in front of a plain white background. Shown above are three of her works ordered from left to right, Passion Flower, Giant Granadilla, and Rosebuds 1.
Mountney is a contemporary artist and gets her inspiration from the nature surrounded by her place of living, Tuscany, Italy. She uses gouache and egg tempura to create her works as these mediums help to provide fine detail. She prefers to blend the paint colors on the canvas rather than on a mixing palette and uses very fine brushes that compare to those used in traditional thangka painting.
Artist in Focus: Nicola Mountney
I came across Mountney's work when looking for ideas for the block print. The paintings I took inspiration from consisted of a single flower in front of a plain white background. Shown above are three of her works ordered from left to right, Passion Flower, Giant Granadilla, and Rosebuds 1.
Mountney is a contemporary artist and gets her inspiration from the nature surrounded by her place of living, Tuscany, Italy. She uses gouache and egg tempura to create her works as these mediums help to provide fine detail. She prefers to blend the paint colors on the canvas rather than on a mixing palette and uses very fine brushes that compare to those used in traditional thangka painting.
Artist in Focus: Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol is a pop artist who developed silkscreen prints (as well as many other mediums of art). I took inspiration from Warhol's prints, such as Che Guevara and Shot Marilyns (far right). Warhol's series Flowers (shown to the right) is a portfolio composed through the use of photographs featured in an issue of Modern Photography magazine that were taken by Patricia Caulfield. He used screen prints because screening was much easier than painting by hand, which allowed him to easily reproduce images of pop cultures without actually working on his pieces at all. He created his screen prints by choosing a picture and then sending it to a commercial silkscreen maker. Once the screen was prepared for printing, it was then sent back to Warhol's art studio. He would then paint the image using bright colors. Despite not being the inventor of the photographic silkscreen method, Warhol created his own method by merging hand-painted backgrounds with photographic silkscreen prints to produce artwork that is unmatched. |
planning
I began preparing for this piece by listing the art movements I would like to incorporate and the themes I wanted to use. I created a brain map (shown to the right) to picture what I wanted to do with this project. My chosen themes were self-worth, peace, healing, and nature. Putting all of the said themes together, I decided to surround my art piece around one of the most iconic symbols of peace associated with nature: the white poppy flower. |
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/2/8/142850208/editor/p41.png?250)
I ultimately decided to combine pop art and florals into my art piece. Respectively, I came up with three sketches. The first outline consisted of four sections, two inverted, that showcased four stages of a poppy flower's growth (early growth, stem and bud, flowering, and poppy pods). The second design illustrated four sections, two inverted, with one flower in each, all in the same stage: flowering. The final drawing highlights one single poppy at the final stage of growth.
As I was looking for inspiration, I stumbled across many works produced by Nicola Mountney and Andy Warhol that closely aligned with my design ideas. Mountney's works spotlight single flowers to emphasize their features and unique qualities. Warhol's prints present a single photograph painted in four different colored backgrounds. I put both of the attributes from each of the artist's works together to create the three design templates shown to the left.
process
Prior to the carving of the composition, I sketched an outline of the drawing to transfer onto the linoleum board. On the back side of the paper, I scribbled pencil-led to provide a base for the sketch that could effortlessly transfer to the block. I positioned the sketch on top of the linoleum block right-side up and adjusted it to ensure it lined up correctly. I then traced over the outline to transfer.
Since I've never used a carving tool before, I practiced and experimented with the different-sized blades on white space before cutting into my piece. On the backgrounds of the flower that will be printed at the top left and the flower at the bottom right, I used a wide blade to cut out what is meant to be white, being meticulous not to cut too deep into the board. Then, with a narrow blade, I carved the small details into each flower (as shown above with the red markings on the first template). I made precise lines, making sure not to cut too far into the piece. Through trial and error, I composed about 16 prints total. I would take a small scoop of ink and wipe it onto a metal sheet using a palette knife. I used a brayer roller to distribute the ink onto the sheet. I then used the ink from the sheet and applied it to my linoleum block using the brayer roller. To practice, I used a baren to transfer my print to a white sheet of paper. And even with the slab roller, I noticed that no matter much I carved to achieve white backgrounds, I would continue to see carving lines. I acknowledged that I had a choice; I could either cut out the white background or leave the carving lines and let the lines add character to the piece. And through thoughtful consideration, I decided to leave the lines as the lines reminded me of the work of Käthe Kollwitz. |
experimentation
I produced a total of roughly 16 prints through trial and error. I would use a palette knife to spread a small amount of ink onto a metal sheet. The ink was applied to the sheet using a brayer roller. Then, I used the brayer roller to apply the sheet's ink to my linoleum block. I practiced by transferring my print to a blank sheet of paper with a baren.
I started by carving out the base outline of my final sketch. I experimented with the thickness and thinness of the lines, especially for the first and last stages of "Growth" as shown to the left (first stage) and to the right (final stage). Through carving the final sketch, though, I began to notice that all of my prints that came out using a baren would continue to show carving lines. And even using the slab roller, I discovered that carving lines persisted no matter how much linoleum I removed from the block to obtain white backgrounds; My prints continued to show carving lines to the point where the block was extremely thin and susceptible to holes. I recognized that I had a choice: I could remove the white backdrop or I could leave the carving lines in place and let them give the item personality. After asking for the opinion and critiques of others, I was advised that I could either completely cut out the lines or I could leave the carving lines and let them add character to my piece. Following some consideration, I decided to keep the lines because they resembled the work of Käthe Kollwitz. |
critique
Artist in Focus: Andy Warhol
Compared to my respective work and the work of Andy Warhol, we both use sections in our prints. Every section has a single, albeit slightly diverse, focal point. Warhol's prints, though, mainly change the color of each subject while I changed the actual picture of each section. His prints aren't block prints like mine; Andy Warhol's prints are silkscreen prints created via a commercial silkscreen maker. My block prints were made only via ink, and Warhol's are made from ink and colored paints. I chose not to paint my prints as I didn't want it to take away any character.
Artist in Focus: Nicola Mountney
Compared to Nicola Mountney's work, we both focus on the beauty of nature. Both of our artworks have a solid background to better emphasize and guide the eye onto the centerpiece: the flower. Mountney's pieces, though, only have one focal point. My block print has four focal points. Mountney also doesn't work with ink and block prints; she specializes in painting via gouache and egg tempura. With that in mind, she also uses many colors within her pieces, while my block prints use only black and white and are created using only black ink.
Compared to my respective work and the work of Andy Warhol, we both use sections in our prints. Every section has a single, albeit slightly diverse, focal point. Warhol's prints, though, mainly change the color of each subject while I changed the actual picture of each section. His prints aren't block prints like mine; Andy Warhol's prints are silkscreen prints created via a commercial silkscreen maker. My block prints were made only via ink, and Warhol's are made from ink and colored paints. I chose not to paint my prints as I didn't want it to take away any character.
Artist in Focus: Nicola Mountney
Compared to Nicola Mountney's work, we both focus on the beauty of nature. Both of our artworks have a solid background to better emphasize and guide the eye onto the centerpiece: the flower. Mountney's pieces, though, only have one focal point. My block print has four focal points. Mountney also doesn't work with ink and block prints; she specializes in painting via gouache and egg tempura. With that in mind, she also uses many colors within her pieces, while my block prints use only black and white and are created using only black ink.
Reflection
Prior to creating this piece, I was nervous, as I'd never made a block print before or used any type of carving tool. Through this artwork, though, I assimilated different carving techniques to achieve small details in my piece. As an artist, I expanded my knowledge and skill to the use of a medium that was new to me: block printing. My inspiration for this project stemmed from my inner feelings and personal life. Through trauma, I recently realized that I wanted to find peace within myself. I knew I could connect my love of nature to peace using common peace symbols such as the white poppy flower. One of the biggest challenges I faced during this project was my desire for detail, which was best shown in the last stage: the poppy pod. And although the extensive amount of detail was a challenge, I thoroughly enjoyed making the first and last stages. I was successfully able to carve both stages with a generous amount of detail, just enough to make them look realistic. I however did not feel successful in the other two stages: the stem and bud and the flowering. I felt as though I did not add enough detail compared to the other two stages. When people view my work, I hope they can see the significance and beauty of each section and how they can incorporate peace into their daily lives.
AcT connection
1.) Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork:
My inspirations, Andy Warhol and Nicola Mountney, had great effects on my final outcome. The sections showcased in my work were influenced by Andy Warhol. Choosing a flower as my focal point with a solid background for each was influenced by Nicola Mountney.
2.) What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The artists that hold my inspiration had different approaches to their art compared to me. Andy Warhol chose silkscreen printing because it was easier than printing by hand. He would then hand paint each subject with different colors. Nicola Mountney paints her artworks using gouache and egg tempura. Both artists use bright, vivid colors in their work.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Via my inspirations, I discovered that details can still be utilized through a black and white block print. I've also concluded that having one focal point isn't monotonous, it accentuates the subject of the art.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Before starting my project, I knew that I wanted to do pop art combined with florals. While searching for contemporary floral artists, I stumbled upon Nicola Mountney. Since I also knew I wanted to incorporate pop art, I immediately thought of the iconic pop artist, Andy Warhol.
5.) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
In conclusion, the artists who serve as my inspiration used many methods to create their works. Andy Warhol uses commercial silkscreen printers as they were simpler and quicker. Nicola Mountney uses gouache and egg tempura to create her paintings to provide detail. In their works, both artists make use of vibrant, bright colors. Through my influences, I learned that a black and white block print can still create meticulous details and that having a single focus point doesn't make a piece of art repetitive, in my opinion; rather, it highlights its theme.
My inspirations, Andy Warhol and Nicola Mountney, had great effects on my final outcome. The sections showcased in my work were influenced by Andy Warhol. Choosing a flower as my focal point with a solid background for each was influenced by Nicola Mountney.
2.) What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The artists that hold my inspiration had different approaches to their art compared to me. Andy Warhol chose silkscreen printing because it was easier than printing by hand. He would then hand paint each subject with different colors. Nicola Mountney paints her artworks using gouache and egg tempura. Both artists use bright, vivid colors in their work.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Via my inspirations, I discovered that details can still be utilized through a black and white block print. I've also concluded that having one focal point isn't monotonous, it accentuates the subject of the art.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Before starting my project, I knew that I wanted to do pop art combined with florals. While searching for contemporary floral artists, I stumbled upon Nicola Mountney. Since I also knew I wanted to incorporate pop art, I immediately thought of the iconic pop artist, Andy Warhol.
5.) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
In conclusion, the artists who serve as my inspiration used many methods to create their works. Andy Warhol uses commercial silkscreen printers as they were simpler and quicker. Nicola Mountney uses gouache and egg tempura to create her paintings to provide detail. In their works, both artists make use of vibrant, bright colors. Through my influences, I learned that a black and white block print can still create meticulous details and that having a single focus point doesn't make a piece of art repetitive, in my opinion; rather, it highlights its theme.
Citations
- “Lesson 4: Underpainting and Photographic Silkscreen Printing.” The Andy Warhol Museum, 2022, https://www.warhol.org/lessons/silkscreen-printing/underpainting-and-photographic-silkscreen-printing/
- Mountney, Nicola. Nicola Mountney Art, https://nicolamountney.com/.
- “Nicola Mountney.” Saatchi Art, https://www.saatchiart.com/nicolam.