Assuming the image is not one of my original drawings, alter the contrast in Photoshop, and print out the picture that I'm working from in black and white. Then I use a pencil and draw all the "important" lines on the front of the image. Then I flip the paper over, tape it to my carving material and rub the back with a pencil. Finally, I take a fine point ball point pen, and re-draw the image on the carving material.

No solvents. Minimal mess. I work with art materials all day, and don't want solvents in my home if I can possibly avoid it!

I make "proofs" of my image with a gold ink pad, and wash that ink away as I'm carving. The ballpoint ink stains the pink stuff, so I can wash the ink right off. Finally, when I think the stamp looks the way it should, I make prints with a black stamp pad. THat gives me the most visual "punch," and most of my images are meant to be printed with black ink.

I hope that makes some sense.

Lisa