The 365 Flowers Project

Art Talk Tuesday

 

 

The last few weeks I have been exploring woodblock printing. I've carved linoleum/wood blocks, made prints and studied masters of this art form . It's a rather simple process.

Today I thought I would share some information about how one gets started in woodblock printing.

Supplies
Michael's Craft store  and Dick Blick, both carry the basic supplies. First off, you need a substrate to carve. They range from linoleum sheets, linoleum veneers  adhered to a woodblock to plain chunks of rubber. Next, you need a carving tool. Speedball makes a cutting tool that has several size carving blades. A brayer is needed to spread the ink, maybe get two. Lastly, you will need ink.

Dickblick.com  has basic information on printing making. ( videos)

 http://www.dickblick.com/block/printing/#watchrelatedvideos

Rubber blocks and Linoleum blocks.

 

 Cutting tool and brayer.

 

 

        Inks

 

 

 Once you have the supplies it's time to jump in. Really, that's just what you have to do! Draw a design on a carving block. Just remember it will print the mirror image. Words must be carved backwards!

I usually stand when I'm carving. Always push the blade away from your body, it will keep you from getting cut. Basically, it's more of a digging, than carving action. It might take some practice and a couple of projects before you  master the process.

As you have probably notices, the blocks that are available for carving are rather small. I like big project. When I saw this next photo in a book, I knew I had to figure out how to make a large print.

I then found this great bit of knowledge in the same book. Cardboard print making!

A design is drawn on corrugated cardboard. The top and middle layer removed, carved out. Then a layer of  polyurethane is applied to seal the surface. Now the cardboard is less absorbent and hard. Genius!!!

Next, the surface is inked and the design is printed on to paper.

This book from my local library has been a wealth of information.

I plan on trying the cardboard ink printing process very soon. At the moment I've become sidetracked from printing. I decided to revisit, Fly Me to the Moon. The remix is in progress!

You would think I have enough projects going on, but I guess I don't because I've made arrangements with a local potter to use her studio. I want to make ceramic fish!
Stop back soon, who knows what I'll be up to next!