Mt. Fuji Print: Hokusai's Print, Part 2

In this demonstration, we are now ready to carve into our matrix. Make sure that you always point the gouging tool away from you ( this took is called a "burin"). If you need to, you can always rotate your matrix so that you never have to have the burin cut towards you.

Make sure you cut deep enough but not too deep in your matrix as you don't want to create a hole. That would ruin your matrix and you would have to buy another matrix or a whole other Speedball ink kit.

Also, please note, that since these are manufactured in China, that they may not work as well. Mine as you have seen is broken. The blade would not fit into the burin. So keep that in mind. If you find that you have the same issue, you can use tape as I did and continue using the blade.

Remember, also that when you are cutting, you are cutting to create white, not black. Everything that you don't cut, is black. Keep in mind, this is just like how woodcut or woodblock prints are done.This is how Hokusai did his prints, however instead of using rubber-based plastic matrices as we are, he used wood to create his "Mt. Fuji" print.

Thank you!