A hand printed book on the reduction print process by Leon Loughridge. The book was printed on a 1895 Chandler Price Press in an edion of 60, with 5 Printer Proofs. The book is priced at $325 and is available from the galleries that exhibit woodblocks by Leon Loughridge.

The book contains three woodblock prints displaying each color run that was used to create the print. Below is the introduction from the book.

 

INTRODUCTION

I have written this in an attempt to clarify the process of interpreting a plein aire painting into a woodblock print, both, as a reply to those who ask "How is that done" and, for me, as I find myself asking the same question.

As a printmaker, I strive to interpret the vibrancy of a plein aire painting into a woodblock print. Plein aire painting, or painting on location outdoors, is a spontaneous and reactive process to the subject matter, while the process for woodblock prints is methodical, and not conducive to spontaneity. Though the means of application for the two processes are differ widely, both are based on similar artistic principles. Over time, I seem to have settled into printing procedures that allow for a good deal of success, creativity and structure.

The first steps are to understand the tool or procedure at hand, to know the physical and technical possibilities of the medium, and to master the craft which enables an artist to construct an expression. An artist is only as creative as he allows himself to be, and knowledge of the procedure will allow for that creativity.