Lendy carving a big peach, for our Steamroller Printmaking event
I’ve been using the words “woodblock” and “woodcut” interchangeably, but I noticed some artists use woodblock to delineate a different type of printmaking. I keep getting confused about which is which, but everyone still knows what I’m talking about. Since my own ignorance is itching at me, I gave it a scratch and looked up how woodblock and woodcut differed.
I’m seeing a lot of conflicting uses of woodcut and woodblock amongst artists. Some use woodcut and woodblock interchangeably, as I have been. There is also the verb/noun of “cut” and “block” some people take. There’s still another differentiation, and this I think is what I’ve been looking for. Correct me if I’m wrong, but here’s my best first stab at it: [image_with_animation image_url=”10916″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”]
Woodcut
Woodcuts are a form of relief printing in which a block of wood is carved, leaving the raised image. In relief printing, the ink is applied to the raised areas, and that is pressed onto the paper.
In general, Asian printmaking styles use transparent water based inks and apply them to the block with brushes, then print on the paper by hand pressing with a baren. The Asian application produces soft blended effects, similar to watercolor paintings.
One of Hokusai’s 36 Views of Mt Fuji
In contrast, European printmakers uses oil based inks, and print with a press. The European’s oil based inks are usually opaque, and are printed with strong clear shapes. The ink is applied with a brayer, and most European woodcut prints are made with black ink on white paper.
Both the Asian and the European styles are woodcut prints. [image_with_animation image_url=”10907″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”]
Woodblock
With the first woodblock techniques originating in China, woodblock printmaking refers to the specific type of printmaking that artists in Asia practice. The example of woodblock printmaking I’m most familiar with are the Japanese: the later period of Ukio-e printmakers such as Hokusai and Hiroshige. After the “key” block is printed for outlines, translucent water-based colors are applied to the woodblock plates with brushes, and the sections of colors are printed in layers and can be overlapped, allowing much more complexity of color than European woodcuts. [image_with_animation image_url=”10915″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][image_with_animation image_url=”10908″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] So, if all the information above is true, or even if some of the information above is true, we are listing our classes with casually understood, but incorrect terminology. However, I might just keep it that way because it’s possible the vocabulary is changing to become more casual. I have seen many references online to woodblock, not woodcut, printmaking as the catch-all word. And, within the cosmos of the internet, our classes are easier to find with the more common-use term “woodblock.” So we’ll see how it goes.
[image_with_animation image_url=”7035″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] I prefer a perfect sheet of Rives BFK, baptized in a bath of holy water and dabbed by angels wings, printed with hesitant optimism and an aneurysm when an imperfection emerges, but William Kentridge, he throws it down. That man can work the paper. Torn pieces, inked, and carefully …
Most League artists are busy people. You’re not the only one! I want to make these projects challenging but still accessible. If you miss a day, no biggie. If you miss two, join the club. If you can only do one out of 30, you still did one! Last I checked, one is way better …
[image_with_animation image_url=”11503″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Many new artists feel they need an original idea for every artwork, but most experienced artists get a lot of creative mileage out of one idea (especially a simple idea), repeated in iterations. Here is a great example: Temple Dogs, a series of 8 by Ralph Kiggell. Each illustration is …
Pierre Bonnard was an avid sketcher, filling countless sketchbooks and scraps of paper with drawings he would later peruse for painting inspiration when in his studio. From a previous V. Note: Bonnard did not paint from direct observation. He said he felt ‘weak in front of nature. …The presence of the object, the motif, is …
What’s the difference between a Woodcut and a Woodblock?
[image_with_animation image_url=”10920″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”]
Lendy carving a big peach, for our Steamroller Printmaking event
I’ve been using the words “woodblock” and “woodcut” interchangeably, but I noticed some artists use woodblock to delineate a different type of printmaking. I keep getting confused about which is which, but everyone still knows what I’m talking about. Since my own ignorance is itching at me, I gave it a scratch and looked up how woodblock and woodcut differed.
I’m seeing a lot of conflicting uses of woodcut and woodblock amongst artists. Some use woodcut and woodblock interchangeably, as I have been. There is also the verb/noun of “cut” and “block” some people take. There’s still another differentiation, and this I think is what I’ve been looking for. Correct me if I’m wrong, but here’s my best first stab at it: [image_with_animation image_url=”10916″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”]
Woodcut
Woodcuts are a form of relief printing in which a block of wood is carved, leaving the raised image. In relief printing, the ink is applied to the raised areas, and that is pressed onto the paper.
In general, Asian printmaking styles use transparent water based inks and apply them to the block with brushes, then print on the paper by hand pressing with a baren. The Asian application produces soft blended effects, similar to watercolor paintings.
In contrast, European printmakers uses oil based inks, and print with a press. The European’s oil based inks are usually opaque, and are printed with strong clear shapes. The ink is applied with a brayer, and most European woodcut prints are made with black ink on white paper.
Both the Asian and the European styles are woodcut prints. [image_with_animation image_url=”10907″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”]
Woodblock
With the first woodblock techniques originating in China, woodblock printmaking refers to the specific type of printmaking that artists in Asia practice. The example of woodblock printmaking I’m most familiar with are the Japanese: the later period of Ukio-e printmakers such as Hokusai and Hiroshige. After the “key” block is printed for outlines, translucent water-based colors are applied to the woodblock plates with brushes, and the sections of colors are printed in layers and can be overlapped, allowing much more complexity of color than European woodcuts. [image_with_animation image_url=”10915″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][image_with_animation image_url=”10908″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] So, if all the information above is true, or even if some of the information above is true, we are listing our classes with casually understood, but incorrect terminology. However, I might just keep it that way because it’s possible the vocabulary is changing to become more casual. I have seen many references online to woodblock, not woodcut, printmaking as the catch-all word. And, within the cosmos of the internet, our classes are easier to find with the more common-use term “woodblock.” So we’ll see how it goes.
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[image_with_animation image_url=”11503″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Many new artists feel they need an original idea for every artwork, but most experienced artists get a lot of creative mileage out of one idea (especially a simple idea), repeated in iterations. Here is a great example: Temple Dogs, a series of 8 by Ralph Kiggell. Each illustration is …
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