Here’s a dilemma. I’ve done enough hacking on my new woodcut to try a first proof. But I really like the piece as it is, with the colour of the natural wood contrasting with the creamy whiteness of the carved areas and the grey/black of the bits I’ve coloured with ink and wash; done to help make the cutting easier. Once I get the black ink onto it, the brown and grey tones will be lost forever. Still, it’s a woodcut. It’s destiny is to be printed.
scribblah 
I’m throwing my two pence worth in too; it does look great as a carved relief – why not keep it as such. I see a lovely series of woodcut reliefs and printed woodcuts. Very nice.
hmmmm….got me thinking now……
I love the idea of using it and then painting it afterwards…
hmmm I’ll give it a go. Want to do an edition of 30 or so first though 🙂
I’d have a snort of 80 proof before ya consider ‘proofing’ it. Looks good to me just as it is. Think outside the box.
ooofff I tried some 80 proof Stroh rum from The Netherlands once – never again lol 🙂
Rosie, Yes a dilemma indeed, the cut wood looks fantastic as an image/object already, but I also agree with you about its destiny. What would happen if you gently sanded off the wood after printing? I know next to nothing about the process but am always struck by the beauty of blocks and plates. Whatever you decide will be how it should be. Great blog.
Thank you Jon. That’s a good idea to sand it after I’ve finished editioning. I know an artist who colours his woodblocks and frames them afetr he’s finished editioning from them.
cant you
1. scan it so you have the colour
2. reproduce the colour when you print? dont use black use those tones of brown and cream
I’ve scanned it so I have a copy of this as a digital image, but if I were to print it in colours and tones, I’d have to develop it as a reduction block print (the suicide method) which would eventually destroy the block completely 😦
ah then just keep the block as it. its now a wood carving.
I agree with Alli – maybe this could stay as is and you could do another to print… says me who doesn’t have to do all the hacking work! Seriously, it is beautiful even in a photo so it must be amazing in the (plywood) flesh… of course after you print and clean it, it will have yet another life.
Decisions decisions 🙂
Never thought of art as having a particular destiny. It’s whatever you make of it. If you really love this piece as is, leave it alone and hang it on the wall!
But I want to see how it prints too lol :). I should be more decisive