What is woodcut?
Woodcut is a relief printing technique in which an image is carved into the surface of a block of wood—typically with gouges—leaving the printing parts level with the surface while removing the non-printing parts. Areas that the artist cuts away carry no ink, while characters or images at surface level carry the ink to produce the print. The block is cut along the wood grain (unlike wood engraving, where the block is cut in the end-grain). The surface is covered with ink by rolling over the surface with an ink-covered roller (brayer), leaving ink upon the flat surface but not in the non-printing areas.
History of woodcut
Woodcut is one of the oldest printmaking techniques. It originated in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles and later on paper. The earliest woodblock printed fragments to survive are from China, from the Han dynasty (before 220), and are of silk printed with flowers in three colours. "In the 13th century the Chinese technique of blockprinting was transmitted to Europe." Paper arrived in Europe, also from China via al-Andalus, slightly later, and was being manufactured in Italy by the end of the thirteenth century, and in Burgundy and Germany by the end of the fourteenth.
How does woodcut work?
The basic steps of woodcut are as follows:
Prepare the block. The block is made of a hard wood, such as pear wood, which is sawn along the grain and planed smooth. The block is then seasoned to reduce the moisture content in the wood, which prevents warping and cracking.
Design the image. The image is designed by the artist, either by drawing directly on the block or by creating a separate drawing that is then transferred to the block.
Carve the block. The artist uses a variety of tools, such as gouges and knives, to carve away the wood from the block, leaving the image raised.
Ink the block. The block is inked with a roller or dauber. The ink is applied to the raised areas of the block, leaving the non-printing areas ink-free.
Print the image. The inked block is placed on a piece of paper and then pressed down with a press. The pressure forces the ink from the raised areas of the block onto the paper, creating a print.
Types of woodcut
There are two main types of woodcut:
Black and white woodcut: In black and white woodcut, the artist uses only black ink to create the image.
Color woodcut: In color woodcut, the artist uses multiple blocks, each inked with a different color, to create the image.
Benefits of woodcut
Woodcut offers a number of benefits, including:
Durability: Woodcut prints are typically very durable.
Uniqueness: Each woodcut print is unique, as the artist will carve the block slightly differently each time.
Longevity: Woodcut is a very old technique, and it has been used to create some of the most famous works of art in history.
Applications of woodcut
Woodcut is used in a wide variety of applications, including:
Fine art: Woodcut is a popular medium for fine art prints.
Commercial art: Woodcut is used to create a variety of commercial prints, such as posters and advertisements.
Book illustration: Woodcut is often used to illustrate books.
Decorative items: Woodcut is used to create a variety of decorative items, such as plates, bowls, and vases.
Conclusion
Woodcut is a versatile and unique printmaking process that can be used to create a variety of beautiful and durable prints. It is a popular choice for artists and designers who want to create unique and original works of art.