January 11, 2016 - Giraffe 2 - 1st full

The first image below, is the original sketch on the second giraffe relief print. 

Giraffe #2 (Como herd) - 6B pencil on 400 series Strathmore tan paper. 

Giraffe #2 - Relief block.  Image has been transferred and carving has begun.

Giraffe #2 - Nearing completion of the carving of the Speedball relief block.  Carving tool to the left, blade choices above and portions of the removed block to the right. 

The decision will still need to be made about the block material in the upper left hand corner.  As I have mentioned in earlier posts, even when carving larger areas like this, the slightest elevations tend to print and leave what appear to be random, stray marks in the final prints.  There are really three advantages to simply removing the material:
     1.  It's faster than carving, line by line
     2.  Each inking of the block prints cleanly in the upper right hand corner of the image
     3.  A small image can be created for printing with the surplus block material

Caution:  After meticulously carving the image, it is easy to damage the edge where the removal of the material will take place!