Step One ... (notes below)

Perhaps you think the idea of making a woodblock print of a pulp mill is a bit strange! This is a beautiful object?

Well, not yet it isn't ... but stay with us while we work some magic with wood and paper! Should be quite dramatic by the time we get finished ...

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This is a basic impression of the keyblock. It's not quite clear in this reduced image, but in a couple of places - the 'brick' patterns at the lower part of the chimney stacks - John asked for a 'wipe' of the block before taking the impression. He didn't want those bricks to stand out too clearly in the bright light that will be shining on that area later. So for each impression, after inking the block with a brush, I had to use the tips of my fingers to wipe away most of the pigment in those areas ...

We'll be using this block once more towards the end of the process, to emphasize a particular part of the image.

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