I began carving the Talkative Tortoise fairytale print even though I’m still not sure about the design. It came to the point where I couldn’t envision it without actually seeing it in woodblock print form. I have most of the first block carved and did a quick and dirty test print. With the magic of Photoshop I was able to try some different versions. I haven’t finished carving the lower foot, but it will hang outside of the frame.
Test 2
Test 3
Test 4
I’m still not sure which design I am leaning toward and would appreciate any comments you might have. Should I keep the sky lines or are they too distracting – too many lines? Should the clouds show through the tortoise or not? I like the idea of the tortoise merging with the surroundings, losing his existence with his mistake, but maybe this isn’t really clear?
Serendipity Artist 
December 1, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I like test 3. I would have thought the horizontal background lines would compete too much with the lines on the turtle… but I actually think it works well.
December 1, 2007 at 5:51 pm
I like 3 as well, but 1 communicates your intended message of him losing himself more.
I enjoy the work involved in looking at 3 and the carved-ness of adding the sky lines, It gives it more of an aged feel.
But saying this what would the background look like if you made the clouds out of light blue lines?
December 2, 2007 at 8:27 am
I like #3 also. I think it’s more because the turtle is solid and there is no transparency (cloud showing through the body). Since the birds are solid, it seems the turtle should also be so.
December 2, 2007 at 12:04 pm
I like both Test 3 and Test 4. In other words, I prefer the lines. Test 3 is a little stronger because of the solidity of the turtle. Nice work!
December 2, 2007 at 1:35 pm
At first I was going to say that I found the lines in competition with the central image, but upon reflection I think #3, but I would like to see the lines less prominent. Maybe thinner. They seem to be the same weight as the turtle & stick and that’s why I find them distracting. Could they be a different color? Maybe a shade of blue? Just thinking aloud – Your image is beautiful!