Alpacas in Progress

The carved key block

I was asked to create artwork for an Art in Hand deck of cards. Art in Hand decks are unique playing cards designed by local artists--each card in the deck is designed by a different artist. The deck I'm participating in is a USA deck, with an animal theme, and each card is assigned to an artist from a different state. For Maryland, I'm working on the  Queen of Hearts! I chose to depict two alpacas (or llamas? I don't know the difference!).  I photographed them at Shiloh Farm, during the same visit when I photographed sheep for this print a couple of years ago. I've been holding onto the photographs, hoping these guys would make it to a woodblock some day.  

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Key block on the left, yupo on the right.

So I made the sketch and carved the keyblock, then inked the block and printed it on yupo. Yupo is synthetic watercolor "paper" that is non-absorbent, so the Akua ink is not permanent on that surface. I basically use it like mylar, to transfer ink from my key block to the color blocks.

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Yupo on the left, color block on the right.

Here, I have printed from the yupo to the next uncarved blocks, and they are ready to carve once I make some decisions about the color. 

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Black and white proof on Rives BFK

I also proofed the key block on Rives BFK. My next step is to hand-color the black and white proof, to make decisions about the color and then use as a reference when I carve the color blocks. 

The finished artwork is due May 1, which is a full month later than the original deadline, but still somehow managed to sneak up on me. 

It will happen. It totally will. Fortunately, I just need one good print to submit for the deck, and then I can print the full edition at a more relaxed pace. 


Until then...hurry up and print!

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