Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Let me show you how I make small repairs on my woodcuts. My tools are wood putty and cut up playing cards, the plasticized kind casinos give away free. (Since I'm not playing poker with these, the hole punched in the middle doesn't matter.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Quiero mostrarles como hago pequenas reparaciones en la madera de un grabado. Mis implementos son mascilla para madera y pedacitos de naipes, the tipo plastico que se usan en los casinos que se regalan gratis. (Como no las uso para jugar al poker, el agujero en el centro no me importa.)

First I work the putty with my fingers, according to the directions. I always wear disposable plastic gloves when I do this. I then spread the putty into the area needing repair, pressing firmly as I do so. Before the putty has a chance to set up, I take the small piece of card and smooth the area, working it over and over until it is the same level as the uncut wood surrounding it. The edge of the card is also useful to level the putty application. I toss the cards frequently as they get tacky with putty. With a little patience, this makes sanding later unnecessary, as you can see below...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Primero mezclo la mascilla con los dedos, segun las instrucciones. Siempre lo hago usando guantes plasticos disponibles. En el area que requiere el reparo, firmamente aplico la mascilla. Antes de que se pone duro, tomo una naipe y trabajandola poco a poco la mascilla llega a la misma nivel de la madera no cortado alrededor. El borde de la naipe tambien es util para nivelar la mascilla. Las boto con frequencia porque la naipe se llena con el exceso de mascilla. Con un poco de paciencia, este proceso elimina la necesidad de lijar la mascilla seca mas luego, como se ve abajo.

4 comments:

Amanda said...

Great tips! I have yet to try this but now have an idea of how it works.

Diane Cutter said...

Amanda... The instructions on the McClain's site shows them using a spatula to spread the putty. Since I haven't made huge mistakes, I find the cards work wonderfully and I have better control.

Annie B said...

Brilliant! I wonder how the putty would react with watercolor inks. Worth a try. I like your cards idea a lot.

Diane Cutter said...

Annie... I prefer the cards because a putty knife is just too unweildy and also tends to 'clog' up with putty, requiring a lot of wiping clean as you go. The cards can just be tossed, guilt-free, when they get tacky. I don't know about watercolor inks but, once this putty is set, it works just like wood. I haven't had problems printing with either oil or Akua inks.