When creating woodcut it’s essential to be able to control the pressure applied and the number of felt layers used between the wood block and the paper. This process requires great skill as you also need to align the different blocks. Here Saerker is working on the press. Photograph by Keld Thomsen and Erik Rasmussen
Here is another example of Saerkers technique in crafting beautiful multi color woodcut prints. This print is from the series illustrating the Palm Wine Drunkard. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
On this cold winter day in 1982 Saerker is working on a series of multi color woodcuts in his studio. On the table in front of him is rows of prints drying and waiting for the next color to be impressed on the paper. Photograph by Keld Thomsen and Erik Rasmussen
Here Saerkers method of using the cut away method to make multi colored woodcut prints is at full display. As described in the previous post Saerker would create layers of color by cutting away on the same plate until there was only small areas left. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
One of Saerkers favorite art forms was the humble woodcut that also flourished in Japan over hundreds of years. Saerkers technique was to use the same plate for up to seven layers of color, with each pass he would cut away areas on the plate to reveal new motive and patterns. This makes the process very unique as only very few prints was done in each color and going back to re-print would be impossible as the plate had been cut down to the last printed color. Image by Keld Thomsen and Erik Rasmussen
Saerker had a special love for cold needle engravings and here is a typical print on cotton based paper of a scene from the Greek mythology. Photograph by Erik Rasmussen.
In the world of cartoon characters there is plenty of cliffhangers and high tension points that move the story along. Saerker has here captured an jungle scene where a fight with a ferocious creature is taking place. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
Saerker standing in his studio with the background covered in canvases that are either complete or work in progress.
Oil painting as a tribute to one of the master of making cliffhangers in a single frame. Saerker bold and saturated brush strokes gives a certain aura to his paintings. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
When a cartoonist created the daily strip it was important to economize with the drawings and press as much of the story into very few frames. In this regards they were masters at capturing the reader and conveying a sometime complicated story in few frames. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
Here Saerker has made a radical reinterpretation of a famous classic painting and imbedded cartoon characters from another universe. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
Some of the great cartoon artists created timeless and characterful art that inspired and made artists in other fields take notice. The cartoon medium has inspired books, films, fine art, TV series and this oil painting by Saerker is a tribute to one such artist. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
The storylines are again intermingled with animal characters meeting up in a new world where no connection exists. Impressionistic colors and bold brush strokes by Saerker. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
A old storyline in a completely new interpretation that turns all the conventions around. Forceful brush strokes and bold impressionistic colors are captured in this venture into the cartoon world. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
In this oil painting Saerker is mixing in storylines from the movies into the cartoon world. The painting itself is bold, brash, and colorful painted with wild brushstrokes. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
In this cartoon oil painting the storyline is completely reimagined with characters from other universes entering into the world of completely unrelated cartoons. Saerkers imagination is spinning freely in this painting of bold strokes. Photograph of artwork by Erik Rasmussen
