The frame holding the roller should be metal so the roller runs smoothly and does not sway. But it is more difficult to ink the block evenly with a hard brayer, especially if the block is uneven. Grain can be emphasized by using a small amount of ink and a hard roller. Harder rollers tend to ride across the top of the block without dipping down over the edges of cut areas. On the down side, if the design has very fine lines, the amount of ink being applied must be carefully controlled or details tend to fill in. Because they are more flexible, it is easier to ink up the block evenly, even if the block itself is slightly uneven. Hardness is a personal choice and many printmakers have both soft and hard brayers in their studios. A larger diameter roller covers more area in fewer rolls, again resulting in more even coverage of ink. You can make do with smaller brayers, but then you will need to roll on ink several times and it is more difficult to get an even coat across the entire block. For best results, the roller should be slightly wider than the printing area of the block. Brayers come in many sizes and hardnesses. Some water-based inks can be modified for use with brayers. Brayers Brayers are used to apply oil-based ink to blocks or plates. Dry thoroughly before storing to prevent mold, which ruins a brush very quickly. If you cannot hang the brushes, place them at the edge of a table with the bristles hanging off the end, so there is good air circulation around all of the bristles. Shake off excess water or press the bristles gently in a soft towel, then hang the brushes with the bristles pointing down to dry. Cleaning and Drying After use, gently but thoroughly wash the brushes out using a mild soap, then rinse. Press the brush gently in a towel to squeeze out excess moisture before using it. The wood handle on the Maru Bake absorbs water more slowly than the bamboo handles on Hanga or Surikomi Bake, and a larger brush needs more time to soak up water than a smaller one, so adjust the soaking time appropriately. Put brushes with handles in a jar with enough water to cover the entire cluster of bristles. To keep shedding to a minimum, soak the brushes in clean water for five to ten minutes before each day's use. Soak Before Using All of these brushes are very dense and it has been our experience that they all shed to some degree. The Hanga Bake are rounder in shape so they are about one third larger in total area than a similarly sized oval Surikomi Bake. Hanga Bake and Surikomi Bake both have bamboo handles and are measured across the widest side to describe the size of the brush. Maru Bake and Hanga Bake, made from horse and hog hair respectively, are used by most professional printmakers in Japan but the mixed deer and hog hair of Surikomi Bake, or stenciling brush, offer many of the same virtues while being less expensive and available in a wider range of sizes. The ideal brush is flexible, somewhat springy and not too soft. Hanga Bake, Maru Bake and Surikomi Bake are all used to mix and spread the ink and nori (rice paste) evenly on the block. As with many traditional Japanese crafts, fewer people are making these special printmaking brushes. Baltic birch is what most people prefer.Brushes and Brayers Japanese Brushes: Uses and Materials Made entirely by hand, all of these lovely, functional brushes are works of art themselves. Keeping your tools sharp is so important!Īlso I’d recommend trying out some wood. These things should be available at all of the sites that I mentioned. And Some sharpening compound (usually made w pumice) and a leather strop to keep your tools honed. With whatever tools you get you will NEED a whet stone or water stone to sharpen your tools. I’ve started to build my set, only have a few, but I love them. the blade can be pulled out as it needs to be with repeated sharpening. They’re a bit more expensive but are amazing. Ī lot of people use here types of tools, the moku hanga set as it says here. I’ve used them a ton, back before I got nicer tools.
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