EXHIBITION TEXT
Nerves depicts a nervous person presenting flowers to the person they're courting. This piece is meant to capture the combination of overwhelming nervousness and excitement that they are experiencing in this moment. This piece was created using linoleum carving, ink, and paper to create a block print. Inspired greatly by the work of Lill Tschudi, especially her use of geometric shapes and simple form. title: Nerves
size: 8.5cm x 11cm medium: Linoleum block print completion: September 24th, 2021 |
INSPIRATION
I was largely inspired by Lill Tschudi, a popular Swiss block printer in the 1930's. Her cuts were inspired by and captured then modern life, jazz bands, sporting events, electricians working on a telephone pole, etc. I wanted to capture this 1930's era modern life in my block print, I like the way this artist captures everyday occurrences of the world, as well as the way she uses form in these simple shaped environments and geometric lines. I especially was inspired by Sticking Up Posters, 1933, The texture in the background was something I wanted to emulate in my piece, and the ladders inspired the railing behind the main figures in my piece. Though most of Lill's work is of colored linoleum cuttings, I made a point to translate that to a monotone pallet for my print.
I was largely inspired by Lill Tschudi, a popular Swiss block printer in the 1930's. Her cuts were inspired by and captured then modern life, jazz bands, sporting events, electricians working on a telephone pole, etc. I wanted to capture this 1930's era modern life in my block print, I like the way this artist captures everyday occurrences of the world, as well as the way she uses form in these simple shaped environments and geometric lines. I especially was inspired by Sticking Up Posters, 1933, The texture in the background was something I wanted to emulate in my piece, and the ladders inspired the railing behind the main figures in my piece. Though most of Lill's work is of colored linoleum cuttings, I made a point to translate that to a monotone pallet for my print.
Fixing the Wires, 1932 Ski Weekend, 1935 Sticking up Posters, 1933
PLANNING
I was inspired by the print Sticking Up Posters, 1933 particularly of Lill Tschudi's work, the newsboy cap reminded me of a similar one I have at home, and I then though I wanted to incorporate a large sunhat I also own. Inspired by the 1930's vibes of Lill's work, I wanted to depict a scene of young love, the person facing the viewer nervously holds a bouquet of flowers while another person facing away from the viewer lifts a hand to their face in surprise. The ladder in Sticking Up Posters, 1933 inspired the railing in the middle ground, and the interestingly textured background also draws inspiration. I wanted the background to be lighter then the foreground to imply that it's getting dark out, like the sun is setting. I made a thumbnail sketch and some rough ideas before making a size accurate sketch to copy onto the linoleum for carving. |
PROCESS
I started by carefully recreating my sketch on my linoleum block, taking time to make sure I was happy with the proportions and layout before I moved onto carving. It took some time to get a good grasp on how to use the carving tools, but the geometric-like straight lines were a part of the style I was trying to emulate, so it was all planed. At this point I had considered that the carved lines would be thicker than my pencil outline, but I knew that I wouldn't be sure of how it would look until I'd already done it so I jumped right into the carving. |
When the carving was finished, it took many attempts to get a print with the proper amount of ink. Too much and the ink got in the carved out parts of the print and the details dissipated, too little and print after print came out patchy. The inking process of a block print is something professionals spent many hours perfecting and that I didn't quite manage to prefect in lesser time. Through much effort, I took the most presentable prints aside to keep and present for my final exhibition.
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Critique
comparing my work to that of my inspiration Lill Tschudi, specifically in the works Fixing the Wires 1932 (left) and Sticking Up Posters, 1933 (right)
Similarities;
-There is a shared use of simple shapes. lines are straight and stylized in a way that is quite pleasing to the eye, and I tried to emulate this in my piece both because it looks nice in Lill's work and because I hoped that it might mask any mistakes I made with choppy carving since this was my first time using this medium.
-the textured background on Sticking Up Posters is something I especially tried to adapt for my piece, I liked how it made the piece look more abstract and made the characters in the foreground stand out more as well as adding more visually to the piece. my piece uses similar simple square-ish shapes both solid and striped to break up the otherwise boring background.
-Lastly, I wanted to capture an everyday scene in the way that Lill is most known for, a moment in passing you might see walking down the street. Though in my piece the clothing is a bit old fashioned, it still gets the idea across.
Differences;
-A very easily observable difference is Lill's use of colored block printing to really make her pieces pop, and while this really makes her pieces beautiful it's not something that I could or did use in my piece, both because of availability and to further sell the 1930's look.
-my piece also ended up having less straight lines, as the lines are more curved and softer as opposed to Lill's sharper lines.
-my piece, lastly, lacks some of the clarity of Lill's pieces, it's a bit difficult to read.
-There is a shared use of simple shapes. lines are straight and stylized in a way that is quite pleasing to the eye, and I tried to emulate this in my piece both because it looks nice in Lill's work and because I hoped that it might mask any mistakes I made with choppy carving since this was my first time using this medium.
-the textured background on Sticking Up Posters is something I especially tried to adapt for my piece, I liked how it made the piece look more abstract and made the characters in the foreground stand out more as well as adding more visually to the piece. my piece uses similar simple square-ish shapes both solid and striped to break up the otherwise boring background.
-Lastly, I wanted to capture an everyday scene in the way that Lill is most known for, a moment in passing you might see walking down the street. Though in my piece the clothing is a bit old fashioned, it still gets the idea across.
Differences;
-A very easily observable difference is Lill's use of colored block printing to really make her pieces pop, and while this really makes her pieces beautiful it's not something that I could or did use in my piece, both because of availability and to further sell the 1930's look.
-my piece also ended up having less straight lines, as the lines are more curved and softer as opposed to Lill's sharper lines.
-my piece, lastly, lacks some of the clarity of Lill's pieces, it's a bit difficult to read.
Reflection
I was pretty happy with the process of this piece, it was definitely fun to work on since it's not a medium I've worked in before. I feel the outcome of the print wasn't exactly how I wanted it but I did make an effort to get it close to that. My ink application and carving could have been clearer but I still like this piece. I wanted to capture this vibrant feeling and moment in time. The character on the left feeling very nervous and excited asking out the character on the right, and the character on the right, though you can't see their face, appears to receive this well. The bright and dynamic background really draws toward the foreground.
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ACT Connection
1.) Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork:
My inspiration was drawn primarily from the work of Lill Tschudi. Her block prints are inspired by city life and capturing everyday moments which is what I tried to emulate in my work, especially in the simple shaped characters and patterned background.
2.) What is the overall approach ( point of view ) the author ( from your research ) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Lill Tschudi most enjoyed capturing everyday moments in her art, from sporting events to electrical workers, and so on. She felt that these moments were the most interesting and were underappreciated sights, so she portrayed them in her art.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration
Block printing is a very interesting medium. I quite enjoyed experimenting with all different types of carving tools to get my desired results, and I'd be interested in revisiting block printing in the future.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
the central idea of my piece is meant to capture an everyday moment that is not uncommon in our society but still has so much meaning and emotion.
5.) What kind of inferences ( conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning ) did you make while reading your research?
It takes a very steady hand to get the fine details in block printing, a lot of skill goes into getting fine lines that are not choppy or too shallow.
My inspiration was drawn primarily from the work of Lill Tschudi. Her block prints are inspired by city life and capturing everyday moments which is what I tried to emulate in my work, especially in the simple shaped characters and patterned background.
2.) What is the overall approach ( point of view ) the author ( from your research ) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Lill Tschudi most enjoyed capturing everyday moments in her art, from sporting events to electrical workers, and so on. She felt that these moments were the most interesting and were underappreciated sights, so she portrayed them in her art.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration
Block printing is a very interesting medium. I quite enjoyed experimenting with all different types of carving tools to get my desired results, and I'd be interested in revisiting block printing in the future.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
the central idea of my piece is meant to capture an everyday moment that is not uncommon in our society but still has so much meaning and emotion.
5.) What kind of inferences ( conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning ) did you make while reading your research?
It takes a very steady hand to get the fine details in block printing, a lot of skill goes into getting fine lines that are not choppy or too shallow.