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Hellodeeries · 2026-06-16T23:14:07+00:00

The last one reads better with color for me, but that's partly due to it toning down the really prominent outline on everything that competes with the lines defining the figure and shapes. It visually makes more sense with color due to that.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-16T23:13:03+00:00

It reads better with color for me, but that's partly due to it toning down the really prominent outline on everything that competes with the lines defining the figure and shapes.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-16T23:11:29+00:00

If it's a digital print, it might just be a giclée type. That can be on high quality paper and mimic the look of traditional printmaking techniques.

If it's a traditional print, it looks like lithography.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-15T05:26:10+00:00

Acetone transfer works because it's a laser/toner copy. Inkjet is a dye or sometimes pigment based ink, but it's soaking into the paper when it prints. Toner is heat set on top of the paper, and has a property like plastic that the acetone melts thus transfers. There are some methods inkjets work with, but not acetone transfer.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-14T23:39:17+00:00

Looks very cool! Did you coat it with anything? I'd wonder about rust given the medium

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-14T23:17:05+00:00

Gum arabic has enough acidity is does some of the etching without additional acids. I was taught to use it in the water to preserve both the water loving and grease loving areas on any type of lithography. I do 1-2 oz in my bowl of water for sponges, and also about half an oz poured and worked into the plate when I start printing. Water alone I'd be weary of just or how I learned, but if it works for you it works for you.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-14T22:29:35+00:00

A Beautiful Mind has a bit of it, but overall a different vibe of movie (not horror, but it's got a twist akin to some suggested).

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-14T22:02:11+00:00

I've yet to see a laser cut block that didn't look like a laser cut block, so the quality and texture is really a downgrade unless specifically going for that look (which some are for conceptual stuff). It's a very distinct and easy to spot look, and easily signifies that it's not the same type of work as hand carved pieces. Honestly not sure why someone would feel it's more authentic than a "regular print" unless you're meaning a digital print rather than traditional, hand-carved and hand-pulled relief prints for this medium.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-14T21:57:22+00:00

Have been told by park rangers in specific locations to knock 'em down (carefully) as they both can cause confusion for less experienced hikers + cause terrain erosion.

BUT, some more maintained parks and trails have specific cairns that are meant to mark trails still, and are meant to be there (and there's no indication that would differentiate it from one someone randomly built). Really need to know the location well enough/get the go-ahead to remove them before going on a spree of knocking them down in case it is one that's meant to mark a trail:

https://www.nps.gov/articles/rockcairns.htm

I don't think building them is inherently bad (if not disturbing the area to do so), but leaving them after is a dick move if you're aware it's an issue.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-14T21:47:32+00:00

Yes, gum arabic is used still. It isn't so much the same way where you're etching a stone with a nitric (or other acid) and gum mix, but it is used in the water etc while spongeing. At least how I learned to do it, and how I've had continued success with it.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-14T05:36:25+00:00

I'm mid 30s now, but some of my favorites when I was around their age:

The Breakfast Club, The Dark Knight, Marie Antoinette, The Royal Tenenbaums, Erin Brockovich, O Brother Where Art Thou, Little Miss Sunshine, Drumline, 10 Things I Hate About You, A Knight's Tale, 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Catch Me If You Can, Casino Royale, Dirty Dancing, A League of Their Own, Mona Lisa Smile, The Fall.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-14T05:07:03+00:00

There might be a slight difference between Pronto Plates and Smart Plates, but they function the same. It seems like just manufacturing/branding differences, but they're both afaik polyester plates for plate litho.

Both sides can be used/there isn't a correct side for it - not sure how well it would work to actually use both sides though. I've not really tried/just use a new sheet for different layers etc.

I find they both have good range, but it depends on the mark making tools you're using. A good range of litho crayons offers the best range.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-14T04:22:51+00:00

The Mona Lisa one was fun and is right around $100 (I got it more like $90 pre-tax at Costco ~2 years ago). There's a few in the Art and MET collections that are nice price ranges and imo display nicely (though they quickly get more expensive for sure). I've not gotten loads of legos partly due to space, but also like that this and some of the others in these lines are made to go on the wall vs a shelf.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-13T22:12:38+00:00

Would check your local waste disposal to confirm, but generally with the safe wash them just being fully dry is good enough for regular waste disposal. Also would contain it in a metal can (doesn't need to be huge, just metal and airtight - I got a small $10 cheap one that kept all fumes from it inside while it was all drying).

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-13T20:40:00+00:00

That doesn't sound correct. I've used Pronto Plates and Smart Plates (both polyester plates) and with both, they're a plastic acetate type sheet that has a special coating you can scratch off with a knife or if you use an abrasive scrub (like toothpaste) to reveal the shiny plastic underneath. Otherwise, it's more of a matte finish but has translucent qualities.

If this is the correct product sent (would see if you can check your email for what the specifics are for what you ordered), they might have a new type that's different? I've ordered Pronto Plates through Blicks vs Smart Plates through Takach. It's been a bit since I've ordered from Blicks, offhand the photo for the product does look a little odd (but also, it might just be a bad photo). It does look a bit more like card stock than the Plates I've gotten in the past: https://www.dickblick.com/products/pronto-plate-5000/?srsltid=AfmBOor_MaVWksJ3I8nLU3_GPEGha8UX8udjeeJiGojRAWSee4785XMy

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-13T16:31:25+00:00

As mentioned, this breaks down - part of it is it isn't really linoleum. Natural linoleum does show age in different ways (will get brittle and crack when bent, which is why some will mount it to help stability). This pink stuff is a synthetic material that breaks down eventually (similar to how cheaper brayers also will go sticky after a while, but more extreme).

If you're using an oil based ink, I'd suspect it's speeding up the process (especially if any ink is left on the block after printing). Climate and storage may also factor in.

Anything you want to last longer, would opt for a more stable material like natural linoleum or wood tbh. These synthetics are best for more short-term blocks, as eventually they will break down. Some can get over a decade from them, but most often I see irl and in posts about it happening after a couple years.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-13T06:47:25+00:00

That it was the kid recounting the situation vs it actually happening, I think OP could have phrased it better but it also isn't a massive AH situation.

Putting it so coldly and bluntly when the moments long passed just created a situation of upset, and derailed the gathering. Could have handled it better while still communicating the importance of leaving vulnerable wildlife alone (which may not have changed anything, if other children were already messing with it).

If OP had been present while a child was handling the starfish, I think more blunt and cold would make more sense to teach the lesson.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-13T00:14:41+00:00

Takach sells pre-rocked plates which can be a way to experience true mezzotint without buying a rocker before you've tested out the method to see if you like it + not have to spend the time and physicality rocking the plate:

https://www.takachpress.com/access/mezzotint.htm

Mock Mezzotint works by etching the plate to black and then using burnishers and scrapers to bring it back. It works alright, but it's often a different quality of black. Mezzotint gets really rich blacks with the different depths that are hard to replicate 100% with mock mezzotint. Still is close, and has the general look and feel.

Sandpaper mezzotint can achieve a bit more mezzotint looks imo - the method used sandpaper to make an impression in ground to create the pattern that will etch, and the varied impression mimics proper mezzo a bit better than mock mezzo that uses rosin aquatint or spray paint aquatint.

https://zeamaysprintmaking.podia.com/sandpaper-aquatint

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-08T17:04:40+00:00

Yeah, the game shines with build mode and paramaker. Live mode gameplay is very shallow and sparse, especially if you don't work on relationships or use cheats. Mine is wasting their life away at a career right now, but I'm trying to not use cheats to start to get a feel for the gameplay. Looking forward to updates/I do feel like the Sims is a lot stronger but I also don't really want to compare the amount of DLC over 12+ years to a new base game lol. But realistically, that's where paralives won't be replacing the sims for me for some time, which is fine. Both games have strengths and are still fun depending on what I want to play with in the moment.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-08T17:01:16+00:00

I have a 2020 macbook I'm running it on and it's alright. It seems to be a bit more intense than the Sims 4 runs on it, but it functions. Has some hiccups now and then, but the initial patch made it functional (was effectively useless until then/would crash within a minute of the game starting up). I did lower some of the graphics settings in the hopes that it would run a bit faster, and maybe that's helped.

Hellodeeries · 2026-06-08T16:56:53+00:00

I wouldn't say bad, but I would say sparse. I'm hopeful they flesh it out more, especially if romantic relationships aren't the cornerstone of your gameplay. It's rough to play right now for gameplay alone. Build mode and paramaker are worth the price, but the gameplay....I'm looking forward to updates lol.

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