2 Color Woodcut Done

I printed both colors last night so I now is a good time to take a look and decide what I think about this one. Here are some intial thoughts:

• I like the cut marks over cut marks as opposed to “coloring in” outlined shapes from the key block. Still, does having the 2nd block even add anything or have I said it all with the key block? If I want to get away from having a key block, I guess I can’t do my original drawing directly on the block.
• Kitakata is beautiful, tough paper, darker in tone than the Kozo (used for Yellow Jacket). I was able print with the baren without a slipsheet, without rubbing holes in the paper.
• I need a better way of planning my colors. I think it would be helpful to have color samples that Im trying to match before I start mixing ink. I’m not thrilled with the colors with I ended up using. Maybe I’ll use watercolors for color studies for the next one.
• I’ll probably work a little smaller so I can do more prints and try more things in less time. I’ll wait to move up in size when I have more of these questions worked out.
• I took my time drawing on the block and am happy with that part of it.
• Overall, I’m satisfied. However, there are a lot of lessons that I’ll be taking from this one to the next piece. I’m tempted to reprint this in different colors but, at this time, I think ‘ll move on to a new image.