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Read Thread: Poll: When carving how many times do you...

Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Jul 31, 2007 7:07pm
Thread (disabled) Board
stamp your image before you are satisfied with the final result?

A. At least 50. I just can't get all those fine little details on the first 49 passes.

B. 20 seems to be what I need to get the lines straight and identifiable.

C. 5 practice images because I've carve a lot.

D. Zero! I am such a great carver I know exactly what my blade can do.


deniserows
and is in the "A" category
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Jul 31, 2007 7:13pm
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I didn't have a letter choice.

I stamp it once when I'm finished. If it needs touching up, I can tell then.

After touch-ups I'll stamp test images until I'm satisfied with how it looks, but I don't think I've ever stamped one more than three times.

Knit Wit
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Jul 31, 2007 7:29pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I would say maybe 5-10, depending on how detailed it is.
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Jul 31, 2007 7:49pm
Thread (disabled) Board
5 max, lines that are not straight the first time probably still won't be when you are done.

OBJuan
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Jul 31, 2007 7:54pm
Thread (disabled) Board
5 to 20 depending how detailed the image. I haven't had alot of practice though.
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Jul 31, 2007 9:13pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I do a lot of "proof" prints, because it helps me visualize what I'm doing.

I don't really think of myself as a carver who is particularly interested in "detail" for detail's sake.

I just want the final image to look like what I've envisioned.

For what it's worth, I think of myself as a printmaker, rather than a carver.

(This is a great question!)

Lisa
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114426 by lisascenic
Jul 31, 2007 10:10pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote I think of myself as a printmaker, rather than a carver.


And I do not think of you as a carver, but a master carver.

Quote I just want the final image to look like what I've envisioned.


Of course, Lisascenic would have the ability to "envision" her product...really quite Jedi-like.

I am most pleased you live in the north of California, so I can see your magnificent art first hand.

Your Admiring Humble Servant,
OBJuan
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114439 by OBJuan
Jul 31, 2007 10:35pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I think of myself as a printmaker, rather than a carver.

And I do not think of you as a carver, but a master carver.


I couldn't agree more, OBJuan!!
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Jul 31, 2007 10:40pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I probably fall between the 5 and 20 but closer to 5 :)
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114447 by Dixie
Jul 31, 2007 10:42pm
Thread (disabled) Board
wow...

I just went and looked at my scrap paper pile from the last three carvings...
exactly 7 times each *chuckle*
how odd.

dixie
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Jul 31, 2007 10:56pm
Thread (disabled) Board
IT truly deoends on the carve- what the image is - if it a larger stamp witha bunch of teeny details then I am in the A+++ catagory totally -

My last carve was the chunky spirit chef Gusteau from Ratatouille- he was fun to carve but the buttons on the chef's jacket were a killer to get just right - my dh thinks I am way to particular and that it was great PRE detail work but I know what I want - and I jsut keep hackin till I get it, hack and print , hack and print - I am always amazed that it looks exactly how I picture it by the end - it is truly ( for a non-crafty/artsy gal) a miracle that they turn out at all!!! But then they do and I am sooo pleased.

Amazing what happens when you simply follow direction!!! Thanks to all who give great tips!


happy hunting, enjoy the journey,
teekasue
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114426 by lisascenic
Aug 1, 2007 4:53am
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh yeah! And if you haven't found Lisa's Block Printing Nirvana box here in New York, you really must go. GREAT stamp, fascinating location and clever hide.

http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=8292

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 5:01am
Thread (disabled) Board
Cool question!

I usually stamp about 5 times.
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 6:07am
Thread (disabled) Board
75% -- D. The last stamp I carved (Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale) came out absolutely perfect on the first stamping. I'm very good at recognizing trouble spots that will affect the final impression.

25% -- 2 or 3, usually to check that enough excess around the stampable surface has been excavated.
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 6:13am
Thread (disabled) Board
Depends on the detail of the image and the type of carving material I am using. So at least 3, up to 20 for one stamp I rememeber.
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 6:31am
Thread (disabled) Board
Do you mean stamping as you carve? Or stamping after you are done?

I rarely stamp as I carve a stamp. The ink invariably mucks up the transfer. If I think I've really screwed it up, I'll stamp or if it's large, I will sometimes stamp a portion of it. This is rare for me to do though. I usually wait until I am done and stamp it a few times to see.

If you do stamp as you go for detail, how do you keep the ink from obscuring the details?
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114501 by ArchimedesScrew
Aug 1, 2007 6:35am
Thread (disabled) Board
Use a light colored ink..like pink or yellow.

LW phD
"Nice Counts"
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114474 by System
Aug 1, 2007 7:20am
Thread (disabled) Board
I find the more times I stamp, the more "errors" I find and the more "errors" I find, the more I try to fix them...and eventually I end up with a mangled mess of rubber in my hands.<quote/>

ME too. Thats why i asked the question. i was doing great. Started with the eyes like everyone suggested. Feeling very proud as this was the most detailed stamp i have tried. After doing 8 proof images i decided the left eye needed just a little more. Well... now she looks like Marty Feldman portraying Igor in "Young Frankentstein". Sheesh. Then after 2 more proofs i decided maybe if i touch up her nose you wouldn't notice her "wild" eye. Now she looks like Charo with a glass eye. Not pretty. i proofed it 2 more times and decided i should carve a simple starfish instead.

deniserows
*where's that "i made a mistake" PLB when you need it?*
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 10:54am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote stamp your image before you are satisfied with the final result?


Oddly enough, either B or C and nowhere in between. I either get it right on the first or second try, or it takes me 20 to get it perfect! :D

-gollygee
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 11:14am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote stamp your image before you are satisfied with the final result?


I'm still trying to figure out why I never saw this message about the poll even though I have this board checked as one of my favorites. If I hadn't come across some of the responses to it, I never would have known it was here. I had to go back through the thread to see where it started.

How many times I stamp the image varies somewhat. There are a select few images that are nearly perfect the first time. Mostly, though, it's probably between 5 and 20, probably closer to 5.

The sad part is, if it isn't right the first time, it rarely gets much better. The most useful result that comes out of the trial stamping is to realize that there are pieces that have been scribed but haven't been removed yet. If something actually needs improvement, my attempts to make it better more often than not make it worse.
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 2:58pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I would be an "A" becauae I am not very good, but I get frustrated too quickly...so I am more of a "B"...
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 4:31pm
Thread (disabled) Board
B/C

Larva Lady/ZZ
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 5:09pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I think it's a C for me. Whether or not I like and keep the stamp it's a 5. I know a real stinking carve within 5 stamps. Or in the old Chuck Berris tradition, "I can mame that carving in 5 stamps."
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114375 by deniserows
Aug 1, 2007 7:38pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Usually once. Sometimes twice.

- SHNV
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114599 by Kirbert
Aug 1, 2007 8:31pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote If something actually needs improvement, my attempts to make it better more often than not make it worse.


I most certainly agree.
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114732 by Lady Lilac
Aug 1, 2007 8:39pm
Thread (disabled) Board
i realize that at least about half of my trial stampings is for just getting the stamp surface good and "primed" i guess. expecially with PZcut...the surface seems to ink better and leave better impressions after a few good inkings and stampings
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114673 by Larva Lady-ZZ
Aug 2, 2007 9:50am
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote Use a light colored ink..like pink or yellow.


i guess i need to up my proof stamping count. i totally forgot to count the light colored stamping. i usually do this 2-3 times before i ink with a dark blue that still lets my pencil show through. The blue ink is good but doesn't come off skin easily. In fact i had the sinus sniffles the other day and had to go to the Drs. Unbeknowst to me, i had blue ink all over my nose from blowing it. Ah the life of a letterboxer.

deniserows
*ink on the nose..ink on the cat..ink on my coffee mug...sheesh*
Re: Poll: When carving how many times do you...
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #114811 by deniserows
Aug 2, 2007 5:07pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote The blue ink is good but doesn't come off skin easily. In fact i had the sinus sniffles the other day and had to go to the Drs. Unbeknowst to me, i had blue ink all over my nose from blowing it. Ah the life of a letterboxer.

deniserows
*ink on the nose..ink on the cat..ink on my coffee mug...sheesh*


That would've made a great stamp for my Signs of a Letterboxer postal ring that's going on now! :D

-gollygee