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Creating A Reduction Woodblock
A Demonstration on the process of creating the woodblock Taos Meadow.

The Oil Sketch
Simple forms and values are developed in an oil sketch. A small amount of detail is noted at the focal point. Atmosphere is created with value and color temperature.


Working Pencil Sketch
Outline color and value fields with a pencil tracing of the original oil. Start to decide color and value progression for the color runs.

 

Image Transfer
The image is transfer to the block with carbon paper. After corrections have been made, the block is sealed with a shellac.

 

An MDF panel with a maple veneer is used. The veneer allows for wood grain to show if desired and will hld a fine line.

 

Cutting the Block
An assortment of hand tools are used to cut away the areas not to be printed. Large areas can be mechanically removed, yet the detail work must be cut by hand to create the fine line detail desired.

 

This show the first cut, which will show white, the paper color.

 

Inking the Block
Ink is carefully mixed to the correct value and color temperature and then rolled out on a glass sheet. A large diameter roller is used to apply the ink to the block for an even application and to avoid ghosting.

 

The First Color Run

The process of cutting away and printing is repeated until the image is complete. This can take from 6 color runs up to 20.

 

Defining Successive Cuts

Penciling in the areas to be cut away for the next color run will help avoid mistaken cuts.

 

Sixth Color Run
This slide show the fourth color run. Remember, each color run has been printed from the same block, which is cut away between each color run.

 

Eigth Color Run
The process of carving away and printing slowly develops the image.

 
Tenth Color Run
This shows the tenth color run printed on a blank sheet.

 

Twelfth Color Run

This shows the twelfth color run printed on a blank sheet. Less and less if the block is being printed as the print process progresses.

Twelfth Color Cut

This shows the actual block with the carved away areas that have already been printed.

 

 

Spot Hand Inking

Final accents can be added by selectively inking color accents with a brush after the block has been inked with the roller.

 

The Final Print
The final print, Taos Meadow" consisted of 17 colors runs. The edition size was determined by the final count of good prints. There is no going back to print more, as the block has been destroyed in the process.