Wow, great video. Subscribed. I see crosshatching lines in so many old woodcuts, and it absolutely puzzles me know they do this. To see what I'm talking about, search in google images for, "woodcut of skull and snake", "ortelius commentary sendivogius", or "Der Formschneider woodcut".
Hello! I'm wanting to start doing woodcuts. I've been a huge fan of the woodcut illustration style of art my entire life. Do you have any tips to get started? Or tutorials on how to do the artwork itself before the carving?
Sorry it took me so long to respond! The way I learned was by carving linoleum. Wood has a lot of complexities and I wouldn’t recommend starting there because you then have to know the art of sharpening! My process is much different than most others because I don’t draw out my tonal values. Instead I use an approach more like a tattoo artist with my drawing in a simple outline form and I map out my different tonal values as I go. Just remember the you have to get use to thinking in the negative as if you were drawing on a black piece pf paper with a white marker. I hope that helps lol!
If using wood you can use a good wood filler no problem. Linoleum not so much. My preferred method is not to use a filler, but instead improvise and make it look as if the accident was intentional. Doesn’t always work but that’s my first step.
@Cchouette the video is clearly titled with how to do it *using the Tormek system*. If you didn’t want to see it done *with the Tormek system*, then you shouldn’t have watched it/clicked away if it’s not relevant/useful to you. Or to put it another way, “comment [is] a bit useless because the video’s purpose is clear and no one is being made to watch”
Any grinding wheel will be similar. This one is slow and wet. But a fine wheel and constant quenching in water (so you don't overheat the steel. When you can't touch it its getting hot and needs cooling). You can roll the tool by hand with practice. See Paul Sellers video. Watch videos on sharpening woodworking gouges of any kind. Block printing tools are just little versions of bigger tools. Speedball cutters are good steel and can be used on wood when sharpened.
Beautiful press and well done making a 'challenging build' project easy. I built myself a small table top etching press a few years ago and have been using it mostly for linocuts.
Always make sure you don’t over-ink your blocks. At the end of your printing process run a few more prints with some sacrificial paper to get excess ink off. Let the ink dry and you can come back to it and print it again whenever.
This is so amazing! Brilliant artwork and love all the detail. I never knew this technique existed. What wood was this carved onto? Thanks, I really enjoyed the video.
I wish I had been introduced to such delicate work as a younger woman. I could have done that well...and it looks so beautiful! Great job and I hope you inspire lots of new artists!!!
I would start carving linoleum first. This was you can buy any cheap chisels and practice before you get into carving wood. You can get a cheap set online around $10-20.
Which printing press you are using in this video? Or do you have any advice for specific printing press brand for woodcut, linocut or itching. 🙏 Thank you so much Alex 🌻
Forever grateful for this! I felt like carvers were keeping some secrets from me that I’d only gain knowledge about right before I died. Thank you for the tips and tricks. I work on linoleum and plan to use my knife for those tight areas.
Is that the Kerb 9 tool shown at the 0:32 mark? Would you consider listing the tools you use? You've inspired me to try your technique for myself. Thank you.
