Posted on March 30, 2011 [Permalink]

Neither earthquake, nor tidal waves, nor radioactive fallout ... can halt the progress of the Mystique series!

Carving is done, and we're ready to get the printing started ...

You know by now how these all start:

Followed immediately by the key outlines:

That's not the only black block we'll have for this print; I carved a special boxwood block for another part of the image, and that'll come later. For now, the colour work can begin:

That's it for tonight. More tomorrow ...

The thread continues in [Mystique #12 - 2] : printing steps 4 ~ 5 ...

Added by: Margaret on March 31, 2011

I guess this is an example of a key block that doesn't give away the whole image. At least, it doesn't for me--I can see the blossoms, but the other parts just don't coalesce into a recognizable thing yet for me. My brain keeps trying to make the other bits into fish, and then birds, and is failing over and over. Birds? Fish? Birdfish? I imagine once I've seen the finished piece, I won't be able to look at this image again without being able to resolve it.

Added by: Dave on March 31, 2011

I don't have that trouble ... of course, because I've been here from the beginning, but yes, I see how this one might be quite puzzling at this point.

I had intended to do the background colour next, which would pop everything into place, but having read your comment, I think I'll save that for now, and do some other small ones first ...

Added by: Sharri on March 31, 2011

I'm with Margaret - I can't tell whether it is fish or fowl, either. But, I love a mystery, hence cannot wait for the next clue!

Added by: John Becker on March 31, 2011

Fish for sure! But are they being served for dinner with a rather elaborate garnish, or maybe carp streamers stuck in a tree? The scent of blossoms juxtaposed with the peril of fugu? (They do look rather... plump.)