If you ever find yourself amazed by the delicate designs on paper, prepare to be taken aback as most of these exquisite designs can be traced back to this age-old method.
Woodcut printmaking is more than just an activity; it is a lively form that allows its practitioners to express themselves artistically and has done so for centuries.
History has gifted us with some incredible artisans, don’t you agree? They meticulously chiseled wood blocks until they unveiled imagery depicting vivid tales, messages, and the elegance of their era.
In fact, this method has been practiced in different forms in various civilizations; Japanese ukiyoe has complex printwork, while during the Renaissance, Italian artists produced compelling artworks.
Irrespective of cuisines, what is remarkable is the fact that woodcut printing continues to gear up and motivate modern-day artists.
Many of them are shifting and trying to get to their roots in this digital universe and forming a bond with the carving technique while relishing on creating something tangible.
In this guide, I will walk you through every woodcut printmaking journey so that it is easy and fun for everyone, be it an experienced artist or an inquisitive newbie.
Grab your carving tools, and let’s embark on this mesmerizing adventure together!
What is woodcut printing?
To put it simply, woodcut printmaking is an art that starts with carving a certain image into a wooden block.
In this technique after the carving is completed some of the wood is painted and afterwards the same process is done where the block photography paper is used after setting it on block.
The beauty of this technique is in its method as well as in the type of finish that it produces.
We enable begin our assessment by tracing how it first started.
Woodcut printmaking began in China in the 7th century along with the Tang dynasty which has been dated many years before us.
Then it moved to Japan and subsequently to Europe where it began to adapt and grow through different time periods.
Woodcut printing, on the other hand, goes beyond the likes of etching or lithography simply because it falls under the category of wood books all due to the fact that it requires the actual wood to be cut.
In turn, this makes the final surfaced engravings much more free-form and so much more vivid.
Woodcut printmaking is more easily identifiable than lithography – even though lithography is easier to image, woodcut printmaking cuts can be found all over the block, creating a more stylized work.
This is the beauty of this art form as well – the bare reality.
So as the art triumphed there was also something interesting, printmaking revolutionized the world of woodcut printmaking , literate world as well.
These prints were more than just decoration they were a form of art that was crafted to portray emotions or express ideas.
For your consideration, colored images were first created using wood-cutting techniques which gained prominence well before printing press was invented.
Such was the case with Albrecht Durer when he applied decorative woodcut technique onto books consisting of literature, fables and other educative material for Russians.
Also, woodcut prints can still be said to represent the culture and values of the society and socio-political matters of the time they were created, many would say that they show how different eras were.
If we begin with Japon, Hokusai had really done a super great job with the Japanese woodblock prints, in particular the print series “Thirty-Six Views of Mt Fuji”.
These pieces of art indeed do capture the tenderness of mother nature as well the artists’ ability to master woodcut technique.
Year in year out, woodcut printmaking has not quite gone out of fashion for many artists across the globe and they are constantly discovering newer ways of creating images with knives by reinventing and responding to the traditional form.
This form of art still serves as a means to appreciate and understand and think about the past, and the cultures and creativity of the people who were there then.
As an artist or simply someone who appreciates art, it is important to have a sense of where woodcut print making came from and why it matters, for it enhances the value of every art piece one encounters.
Getting Started with Woodcut Printmaking
Essentials
In this form of art, woodcut printmaking, you have the opportunity to demonstrate yourself and worry not because you have come to the correct place to initiate your passion for such a skill!
These fundamental tools have to be acquired at the outset of your journey to ensure that your woodcut printmaking does not face any hiccups along the way.
Wood Blocks
The right choice of the canvas has a critical role to play in the realization of the artwork. If I had to suggest a single type, I would go with basswood as it is quite soft and reasonably simple to cut and has a fine grain which captures detailed intricacies very well. The first time I used a carving tool on a basswood design I was greatly pleased by the results.
Cutting Tools (Knives and Gouges)
To make print designs you will need quite a number of tools that will help in making the images have depth and newer textures, some of the basic ones are:
Straight carving knives.
U-gauges and V-gouges.
Always keep in mind to make your tools sharp otherwise you would end up getting frustrated due to slips. When I was starting out for the first time, I ordered a woodworking beginners carving set which did enhance my experience overall.
Ink
So one thing that identifies your work is the kind of ink you use. Most often I recommend oil based ink but if you are interested in something flexible, water based ink is an option. After gathering some experience, you will feel comfortable deciding which one to go with!
Printing Press or Baren
While having a press can be a good idea as it provides pressure when printing, it is not entirely necessary. If you are a beginner or have limited space, then a baren – a cylindrical flat object used in handprints – should suffice. I remember trying out a series with the baren and it was nice to be able to print each piece in that way.
Tips on Selecting the Right Materials
Define a budget when shopping for your materials and also consider what will be comfortable to hold and work with.
Talk to your art supplies local store or other artists in discussion OR gather information online in the forums.
However, keep in mind that you do not have to have the expensive stuff to start off with, do not forget that.
Zoning in on the creative aspect will most times separate you from the rest of the crowd!
Getting Ready For Your Working Space
At this stage, you are fully equipped with the resources and now is the time to prepare the area for work.
In setting up a particular environment for making woodcut prints, you will motivate yourself to improve your creativity.
Establishing an appropriate working atmosphere for woodcut printmaking will greatly affect the quality of the final print.
- Location: Pick a bright location and a quiet area free from distractions. It is okay to work with a machine installed because they provide more light but do not ignore the details.
- Arrangement: It is easier when your tools and materials have places where they are kept. A rolling cart is a lifesaver for flexibility ensuring you have the materials you need easy to grab without having them everywhere.
Whenever I draw paintings, for instance, I like to separate my tools, woods blocks and inks in small boxes or bins. This ensures that I do not waste time searching for my favourite U-gouge or the ideal ink since all my equipment and ingredients are in one location.
Safety must always come first, especially when handling sharp instruments.
Always keep a first aid box and any protective measures needed at hand and ready for use.
I learned this the hard way during my early days of printmaking – safety goggles and gloves might be to your best advantage.
A Comprehensive Guide To Step By Step Woodcut Printmaking Techniques
Step 1: Create A Design For The Best Image Possible
This is the most exciting part of the process where we proceed to make designs for the dummy.
As an ideal practice, before you start carving out a design, make a rough sketch of that design on paper.
Just to give you a light example, I would initially envision a fairly simple concept which is most relatable to me.
For composing an image, I will share with you a guide on that. In my image composing tips, I will make sure to explain how to design such an image in the first place.
When drafting an image just remember, try to stick with the ink facilities rule and throw in the rest of the equipment for later. It can be quite exciting to imagine what the final product will look like, and what it’s intended purpose is.
So, especially as a novice, while composing an image with ink, paying attention to these compositing techniques would develop both the image and the process later on.
The very first design method can be quite tricky at times because it can have more than one result which means it can ruin your final product or piece. This is exactly the reason why I would recommend creating thumbnails first as said this will assist in adjusting your positive and negative spaces as well as the final product.
Placing Your Design On The Woodblock – Woodblock Step 1
As the name suggests, after deciding on your design, the next step, would be to include the main characteristics to the design using the wood block.
Ready? Here are two methods of how you can finish the measures of emphasis given:
Making Tracings On Carbon Paper- Only if you are thinking of first designing and then carving, place the wood block as a canvas under the carbon paper and then place the carbon paper over the sketch, feeling free to cross out the design using a pen it will imprint on the block so that you can carve it afterward.
In the endeavors of deepening our understanding of the imprinting technique to a wood block, So far the suggestions have been entertaining and straightforward.
Step 3- Wood Block Carving Step
Step two is rather self-descriptive, since in the slicer recipes all tend to grind the woodblock on a single image.
So at this stage only will you obtain the outlines of the sketch that will be highlighted in the finishing sketch.
Outline Knife and U-gouges are the basic items required for this.
While design sketching is all to do with 3,2D’s, try playing around with the outlines on your sketch by adding more depth, layers and weightage to it.
Don’t forget to enjoy it and take your time to lift pieces of the wood.
You’d have to bear in mind that this is not an easy thing and to succeed at it requires one to take their time instead of rushing into doing the work.
The correct approach is to not have one’s fingers cross the cutting line and to use the blade to shave away from the body.
This was the case for me when I was relatively inexperienced at the task, where I at the most would slip once a day, and even that was useful practice in my view.
Make certain that your concentration remains on the task at hand, lest you be oblivious to the world around you!
The next step in the process is quite reparative as it requires manual application of ink on the block of wood or metal defined in a previous step.
The process where the image gets to express its true meaning is when the inked block gets pressed onto a piece of paper, and it is during this time when a good chunk of stimulus grows in a person’s mind.
Once one block has been inked and dried to a preset standard, the individual will move onto applying a low viscosity coat in a rolling motion on the block’s surface so that a consistent volume of viscosity is attained.
In the casual terms for a gentleman’s outfit, it is ideal to have something fitted and then wear a shirt with a suitable jacket to create a perfect look.
When applying paint, I simply start off with a few ink drops which I then gradually mix with a few more drops of ink resulting in a coarse black dye.
After setting the ink, I can carry out the printing process.
The options provided below enable for their to be an entirely new approach when it comes to printing.
A prining press is helpful in cleaning the toned screen and proiding even pressure.
But otherwise, You could also grab Every canvas or paper is a baren and turn it to hand wiping it. Leverage. I would say that this is more personal to me and that is the reason why I enjoy hand burning. Pressure Modulation: In this case, modulate how much force you exert. Doing so, you will observe that the results will differ depending on the kind of prints that were done.
Wrapping your Artwork Step Six Good Job! This is your woodcut print ready for the next stage. After this, it is a time to autumn clean your working space and display your artwork. Washing and Keeping Prints: When the task is accomplished, please pay attention to washing instruments and cleaning the ink from the blocks carefully as this will prolong the life of the instruments.
As for the storage of your prints, it is best to place them on flat surfaces and use envelopes or paper sheets not containing acid to prevent any staining from occurring. Printing frames and Exhibiting: Printing frames should be considered when one is making it easier for them to impress a print so that different ideal may be able to be presented. As a result, the printing frame of your liking will complement the print better.
There’s this pride I feel once I put out my prints, almost like I’m gifting a part of myself to the world, and I feel accomplished in doing so.
Real Life Instances
Cutting prints appears to be a dominant new approach to wood cutting alongside wood cutting printing, and most contemporary artists nowadays have redefined the woodcut technique into a contemporary style and method.
Though it is not the only space art can be created in, It is an area I hold preferences to and respect alongside the ideas and problems associated with it. Let me give you some accounts which illustrate magnificently and in the most creative way the memory within the idea of this art.
Kiki smith, an American artist, is a good example of what kind of artist I am talking about, who makes wooden cut prints with dramatic emotions.
Rambush’s exhibition gave me the vision to see the bold and expressive themes of the body and nature as something worth contemplating about and be illustrated through the classical medium of woodcut.
A closer contemplation towards her prints would show a multi-layered rich colored and textured feel that would further suggest the existence of vitality within the piece.
Kiki is not limited to only woodcutting as her works such as woodcut combined with etching or screen printing shows that she has an array of tools to choose from.
This practice encouraged me to notice things differently within my own work.
Another modern artist who is starting to gain International prominence is Yuko Ikeda.
Yuko Ikeda’s ancestry woodcut print works are infused with modern themes as well as modern day trends.
The one thing that still never fails to astonish me when looking at Yuko’s work is her method of carving negative space from the blocks.
Rather than this, she carves patterns into the woodblock, leaving parts of it bare which then corresponds to the original grain of the wood and serves to enhance the aesthetic.
I attended a workshop where she explains how she developed from using simple leaves or stones to shapes with intention to create a whole print.
These artists affirm that woodcut printmaking is never used as a tool of replication but rather as a base upon which other ideas and forms may be created. About these prospects, we are encouraged to not only try out new approaches but to literally experiment with our own tools and crafts in the process.
FAQs
As you set off on your woodcut printmaking collage, there is a dilemma one has to face — the queries that keep circling your head.
Let’s address a few of the popular ones:
What is the difference between woodcut and lasercut printmaking?
The main difference here is that in Woodcut printmaking wooden blocks are used while in linocut linoleum blocks are employed.
This also lies in the technique of carving. Woodcut usually utilizes a coarser grain than linocut which serves to blend the drawn lines.
Both have their appeals, and at times I switch them in accordance with what I wish to achieve.
Are you a novice? Is woodcut printmaking complicated to attempt?
It is true!
For a beginner, woodcut printmaking is quite easy.
A few tools and the techniques merging with practice suffice for one to embark on making.
As a matter of fact, I remember Joseph showing me woodcut prints and feeling all the same encouraging emotions when I created my first print. It was so assuring to have him guide along the way how everything works.
Conclusion
Stepping into the final chapter of our discussion regarding the eye-catching art of woodcut printmaking, it would be just to say that this art is more than just carving on a wood, this existed in ancient times and is still being practiced by different ethnic societies all around the globe.
Art allows you to live in an entirely different reality, a world where anything is possible so long as you are willing to take the plunge and exert the effort that is needed to master the technique. You can go as far as breaking the barriers of reality if you are willing to throw it all on the line by make it come to life as you visualize it.
I would recommend everyone to try craft of woodcut carve printing whether they are artistic or not because it is craft and anyone can enjoy fairness.
Come up with your own individualized designs and prints don’t be afraid, I say the more out of the box the design is the better.
Always remember this is more artistic than a finished product so, getting assistance during the process does not take the charm out of this.
Now get those tools out and ready your workbench to start creating beautiful pieces of art that you can cherish forever.
Seeing the wood cut print takes a lot of creativity and an even greater amount of courage so, one of the things that I would love to watch is try making something new.
The best part is that you can simply comment down below your creation and your insights so that everyone can see them. 🙂
So you could always fuel your inspiration by imagining how artists everywhere aspire to post great works of such art. And I must say, while hoping to be a part of such a grand feat, kindly give me your attention to explain a few things regarding this great fusion of imagination and woodcut print.
