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How to Make Beginner Wood Block Prints

Wood block printing is believed to be the oldest form of printmaking, dating back to second-century China. At its most elaborate, wood block prints are incredibly detailed and printed in several colors. For a beginner, the design should be fairly simple and printed in just one color. As you develop your technique, you can create more complex pieces. Use soft wood for carving; you can find blocks of wood cut to size for printing at art supply retailers.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft wood block
  • Pencil
  • V-gouge
  • U-gouge
  • Sheet of glass
  • Water-based printing ink
  • Rubber roller
  • Paper
  • Rolling pin
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sketch a picture on the surface of the wood block. For your first block, make it something simple.

    • 2

      Carve away the negative areas of the drawing with gouges, always cutting away from yourself. Use a V-gouge for fine lines and a U-gouge for larger spaces. Remember that any area you cut will be white in the final print.

    • 3

      Squeeze a nickel-sized drop of water-based ink on a clean piece of glass. Roll the ink with a rubber roller until its evenly covered with ink.

    • 4

      Roll the ink on the carved wood block, coating the surface evenly. As soon as the ink is applied, place a sheet of paper on top of the ink. Roll the back of the paper with a rolling pin to help transfer the image evenly.

    • 5

      Peel the paper away from the wood block slowly. Your print may not be even on your first try -- it's OK, just re-ink your block and try again.

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