Photo by Nacho Guevara
I am a Bay-Area based printmaker and illustrator. In my work I try to capture the beauty, curiosity, and wonder I see in the world.
In addition to doing freelance illustration, I also carry a line of stationery and home goods that can be found online and in stores across the country.
A healthy community is important to me. A portion of my time each year is donated to select non-profits that build a strong community. Sales of my artwork have raised over $10,000 for charity. When designing my products I choose environmentally friendly options sourced as locally as possible.
Contact:
orders@rigelstuhmiller.com
Links:
- Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
- Press: Magazines, etc that have featured my work
- Wholesale: Info for reps and wholesale stores
The Printmaking Process
To create a block print, I first start by drawing an image on a block of linoleum. Linoleum is a material made from linseed oil and wood or cork dust. The image must be drawn backwards, as it will leave a mirror image when printed.
Next I carve out all the negative space in the image. The linoleum that remains will catch the ink and form the final image.
When all the negative space is carved away, I ink the linoleum block with a roller, or "brayer".
To print the piece by hand, I place a piece of paper over the block and rub the back of the paper with a wooden spoon. This transfers the ink to the paper.
The final print is revealed.
To print the piece on the press, I place the inked block on the bed of the press and place a piece of paper on it. Then I cover it with press felts and roll it through the press. The metal roller of the press applies a large amount of pressure to the paper and plate, transferring the ink to the paper.
To make a multi-color print, I use a few different techniques. One involves carving multiple linoleum blocks, each of which will print one area of color. In this example, I have carved five different blocks. One block can be painted with multiple colors, which can result in a more complex and painterly print.
