
Re: Shomenzuri (polishing) technique question
Franz Rogar wrote:
- Carve the "positive" version of the print. That means, that the white/unprinted print back will lie on the block, showing the printed face which will be polished.
Yes, but with an important 'twist'. The carved area for the shomen-zuri has to be
smaller than the normal block. We do the front rubbing after the print has dried, and the paper has thus shrunk to a smaller dimension than when wet.
So to prepare this block, make a print first in the normal way, then take a
dry copy, and paste it down
face up on a fresh block. Carve as required.
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- Polish with a ceramic/porcelain or metallic material.
This is not necessary; just your normal baren will do. Don't use too much camellia oil of course, as that will stain the print, and use a fairly strong baren.
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What I'm not sure is if I need a different pigment, the use of any kind of glue, wax, or whatever
If the pigment has had some extra nikawa glue mixed in, then this will help the shomen-zuri to be shiny, but it's not actually necessary.
Try some experiments!