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.
Congratulations! You are 10 days in to this 30 day creative challenge. Have you checked Instagram to see what comes up for #30sal? As I write this there are 598 posts! This is so exciting! Who will post #600? There are quite a few on Facebook too! If you did a few of the challenges …
CONGRATULATIONS! You’re only one more day away from the end of this possibly impossible 30 day challenge! Our 2nd-to-last-prompt is from the League’s own Lyall Wallerstedt: Day 29: Movie/TV Scene TRANSCRIPTION. Draw a scene from a favorite movie or TV show. Post it To be eligible for prizes (yes prizes!) at the end of the …
“I remember when my Dad told me as a kid, ‘If you want to catch a rabbit, stand behind a tree and make a noise like a carrot. Then when the rabbit comes by you grab him.’ Works pretty good until you try to figure out what kind of noise a carrot makes…” – Bob …
[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 …
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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Congratulations! You are 10 days in to this 30 day creative challenge. Have you checked Instagram to see what comes up for #30sal? As I write this there are 598 posts! This is so exciting! Who will post #600? There are quite a few on Facebook too! If you did a few of the challenges …
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CONGRATULATIONS! You’re only one more day away from the end of this possibly impossible 30 day challenge! Our 2nd-to-last-prompt is from the League’s own Lyall Wallerstedt: Day 29: Movie/TV Scene TRANSCRIPTION. Draw a scene from a favorite movie or TV show. Post it To be eligible for prizes (yes prizes!) at the end of the …
Rabbits in paintings
“I remember when my Dad told me as a kid, ‘If you want to catch a rabbit, stand behind a tree and make a noise like a carrot. Then when the rabbit comes by you grab him.’ Works pretty good until you try to figure out what kind of noise a carrot makes…” – Bob …
William Kentridge Prints
[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 …