BASIC BLOCK PRINTS

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Now that you understand the basic techniques we explored in the previous pages, you’re ready to go through the whole process of carving, inking, and printing to create a final artwork! This section includes ten projects, each of which shows a different way to produce the final print. The projects in this section explore various types of block prints, as well as different ways of printmaking. Let’s get started!

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Good news! Most of the projects in this section require similar tools and materials; however, for a few projects, you’ll find that you need a few extra supplies. Look for “Project Materials & Tools” at the start of each project to learn what you’ll need to complete the project. All the supplies are easily accessible from your favorite local or online art supply retailer.

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ONE-COLOR BLOCK PRINT

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For beginners, a perfect introduction to block printing is to simply use a single block and a single color. In this project, we’ll go through the basic steps to create a single-color block print with a simple design. As you become familiar with your tools and carving techniques, as well as inking and printing processes, you can move on to more complicated designs. For this piece, I chose a simple floral design. After you finish the first print edition with a single color, you can explore more dynamic compositions with various colors!

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Tip:

To cut the linoleum block to printing size, place the traced design on the block and use a transparent acrylic ruler to make accurate lines for cutting. Make a smooth, clean line all the way through the block using the edge of a sharp craft knife.

Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Tracing paper
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife

STEP 1:

Everything starts with sketching and drawing with pencil on drawing paper or in your sketchbook! Once you have created a final design with clean and accurate lines, cut a sheet of tracing paper to the same size as the sketch. Put the tracing paper on the original drawing and trace the image with a soft-lead pencil. You can use a few pieces of masking tape on the corners to keep the papers in place while tracing.

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STEP 2:

Once the block is cut out, put the tracing paper facedown on the carving block to transfer the image. Evenly press down and rub the bone folder over the drawing, following each detailed line. It’s important to properly transfer all the lines of the image before the carving process.

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STEP 3:

Once the image is transferred, you’re ready to carve. Start by the carving original drawing lines with your finest V-shaped gouges. Once you finish carving the outlines in a section, move on to the rest with U-shaped, wide gouges.

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STEP 4:

Continue working your way through the carving, using small V-shaped gouges for fine details and wider U-shaped gouges for larger areas. If you want to save the blank area of the block, rather than carving it out, use a craft knife to carefully trim it from the original block. This small piece can be saved for a later project.

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STEP 5:

Make a simple registration board with a sheet of blank board paper (see here). Before you start printing, make sure every surface is clean and dust-free. Apply a small amount of ink to the inking plate, gently place the brayer at the edge of the ink, and roll it back and forth. Repeat several times, checking that the whole surface of the brayer roller is covered completely with a thin layer of ink.

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STEP 6:

Roll the brayer gently on the block, ensuring the ink is applied evenly on the entire design.

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STEP 7:

Carefully line up the printing paper on the inked block, laying it gently down. Using a baren or wooden spoon, burnish the back of the printing paper thoroughly, applying even pressure to transfer ink to the printing paper from the block. You can check the inked outline through the back of the printing paper. Carefully pull the print from the block with two hands. Don’t rush this final step.

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STEP 8:

Place the printed paper beside the carved block and check the print. See if you need to make any adjustments or re-carve any parts that didn’t print well. Once you are satisfied with the final print, try using the single carved block to create additional prints in different colors and shades.

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Using the single carved block, try applying various colors and shades. Each one gives a unique effect.

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TWO-COLOR BLOCK PRINT

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Creating a block print with multiple colors requires more effort in planning. There are several standard ways to create multicolored prints. In almost all cases, correctly positioning each layer through proper registration is always a key step. This project is an easy example of creating a two-color block print without going through a complicated registration process. Instead, we’ll use two separate elements that can be arranged without precise positioning. As separate elements, it’s easy to print each object in different color combinations, or swap one for another design.

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Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife
  • Embossing stylus

STEP 1:

Sketch the image on a piece of drawing paper with a soft lead pencil. When making two-color or multicolored block prints, it’s important to design each element as an independent design to prevent the images from overlapping when they are printed. In this piece, I’m demonstrating the concept with a design that has one element (a cat) in the middle and a second element (bush) as the border.

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STEP 2:

Place the drawing paper facedown on the block and tape the top edge with masking tape. Press the bone folder against the back of the paper and apply even pressure over all the pencil lines to transfer the image to the carving block. Once the transfer is complete, trim the block to the original drawing size using a transparent ruler and a craft knife. For this project, you need a second block for the center element, and you can use the remaining piece of the original linoleum if it’s large enough. Using the same transfer method, make an additional image to carve on the second block—a cat in this project.

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STEP 3:

Once the blocks are prepared, it’s time to carve. Start by making an outline of the image using V-shaped gouges. After finishing the initial carving, move on to the large areas with U-shaped or wider gouges.

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STEP 4:

For the center block, you will only use the single image, so cut out the area around the object using a craft knife, leaving some margin around the outline. When you finish carving the blocks, make sure to remove any scraps or carved residue with an old paintbrush.

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STEP 5:

Make a printing board for registration using a blank board paper (see here). Once you make the guidelines for the outer block, make a registration guideline for the center block. Remember that the final image on your print is reversed from the original block. Therefore, place the sketch facedown on the base and transfer the center image using an embossing stylus. Don’t forget to align the bottom edge of the sketch to the guideline you created with the larger block.

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STEP 6:

To make the center design more visible, use a pen or pencil to trace the embossed outline on the base of the printing board (which you will use in step 8).

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STEP 7:

Apply a small amount of ink to the inking plate and load the brayer with a thin layer of ink. Gently roll the brayer on the first block. Be careful not to miss those edges during the inking process. Place the printing paper on the block with the bottom edge lined up with the printing board. Burnish using the baren and wooden spoon, applying even pressure. Gently pull the print from the block. Once you are satisfied with the test print, repeat to create the final edition to be combined with the second block.

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STEP 8:

Repeat step 7 to ink the second block, considering the size of your center block—you may not need much ink if the block is small. Place the inked center block on the marked area of the printing board (from step 6).

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STEP 9:

Carefully place the border print on the top of the center block. It’s very important to carefully line up the edge of the bottom side of the print paper with the printing board. Burnish the back with the baren or wooden spoon. The baren is ideal for applying general pressure, and with the wooden spoon you can apply more refined, detailed pressure to achieve the precise shapes of each line.

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STEP 10:

Gently pull the print from the block with both hands, ensuring the center block stays in position. If you are satisfied with the result, let the print dry. It’s an interesting experiment to use contrasting colors—feel free to explore various color combinations until you find your favorite.

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MULTICOLOR INTERLOCKING BLOCK PRINT

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The various types of linoleum blocks now available have made block printing more accessible by simplifying the process. Compared to traditional materials, such as wood or hard linoleum, soft linoleum is easy to carve and manipulate. These blocks are especially effective in making multicolor prints from a single block using a method called interlocking. By dividing and carefully cutting a single block, you can easily apply a different color or shade to each separate area. Interlocking offers a huge advantage by saving the time and energy required to carve each block separately. Soft or dense linoleum blocks both work very well for this technique. Just remember: once you cut out a piece of block, it is irreversible! Make all your lines clean and accurate.

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Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Tracing paper
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife

STEP 1:

Draw your design on drawing paper with a soft-lead pencil. For this project, I chose stacked tea cups to demonstrate the effects of various shades and colors using the interlocking method. Each element will be separated before the inking process, so remember that the separating lines need to be marked clearly and accurately.

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STEP 2:

Once the final sketch is complete, place a sheet of tracing paper over the sketch and trace it with a soft-lead pencil. Place the tracing paper facedown on the block and attach the top and bottom edges with masking tape. Gently press the bone folder over the back of the paper to transfer the pencil lines to the block. Use the other hand to hold the tracing paper and block together to keep them in position.

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STEP 3:

Once the image is transferred, you’re ready to carve. Start with the narrow and finest V-shaped gouge to make the outlines. When you carve curves or circle shapes, turn the block with your non-carving hand instead of rotating the carving tool. It helps create a more even and continuous curve line when the carving tip stays in place.

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STEP 4:

When you’re done carving the outline, divide the block into its interlocking pieces using a metal ruler and craft knife. During this process, carefully cut the clean dividing lines to make a seamless effect when the separated blocks are put together for interlocking.

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STEP 5:

Once the sections are divided completely, carve out the rest of the background area with larger U-shaped gouges. If there are any tiny scraps of linoleum block remaining, gently brush them out with an old paintbrush. Then you are ready to print!

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STEP 6:

Prepare the printing board using a sheet of blank board paper. Tape each side of the paper board to the mat and place the carved blocks, aligned together, at the center to make an L-shaped registration line for the lower and upper corners using the tape. This method helps keep the block properly positioned in the same place through the inking and printing process. Mark the margin guideline on the base board according to the size of your printing paper.

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STEP 7:

For this project, I’m using a different shade of blue for each divided block. It’s best to use one brayer for each color, but if you have only a few brayers, simply wash and dry them in between colors. Apply a small amount of a single color on the inking plate and use a small brayer to apply a thin, even coat of ink on the block. To achieve the gradient look that I’m using, add white or black ink to your single-color ink applications on the inking plate to create various tints and tones (dark blue, light blue, pale blue, etc.). Once each block is inked, carefully align and place them tightly at the center to make a final print.

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STEP 8:

Gently line up the print paper with the bottom of the margin guideline, placing it over the block slowly. Burnish the back of the print paper using the baren and wooden spoon. Carefully pull the paper off the block from the bottom with both hands.

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STEP 9:

Review the print, and clean up any areas of the block that print where you didn’t intend. When you’re happy with the results, set aside to dry. Experiment with different color combinations—the possibilities are endless!

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TRADITIONAL CARVING BLOCK PRINT

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What makes each block print unique is the way in which it is carved. Carving techniques may vary with the surface hardness of the block, the shape of each gouging tool, the angle and depth of the tool edge, the pressure of each finger and hand holding the handle, and so on. When you look at traditional works of printmaking, you’ll observe that many pieces are made with numerous contour lines. Such contour lines not only create contrast and a lively effect, but also give volume to each space by adding lines guided by the outline of the original shape. Proper use of contour lines can result in a dramatic effect on a final artwork by transforming a two-dimensional space into a three-dimensional form.

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Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Tracing paper
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Black permanent marker
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife

STEP 1:

Start by sketching a detailed image with a soft-lead pencil on drawing paper or in a sketchbook. Once you’ve finalized the design with clean and accurate lines, put the tracing paper on the original drawing, and trace the image. You can use a few pieces of masking tape on the corners to keep them in place while tracing.

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STEP 2:

Place the tracing paper facedown on the carving block to transfer the image. Tape the top edge to the block. Carefully press down and rub the bone folder across the tracing, following each detailed line.

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STEP 3:

Once the image is transferred to the block, you’re ready to start carving. For this project, most of the design will be carved contour lines. Making contour lines is the technique of traditional printmaking, and it gives volume and a lively effect to two-dimensional surfaces.

Before carving, color a small space with black permanent marker. This creates contrast between the carved and uncarved areas, providing guidelines for you to follow and keeping consistent contour lines within each area during the carving process.

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STEP 4:

Use fine V-shaped gouges to make the contour lines and wide U-shaped gouges to carve out large areas. When you are happy with the finished block, prepare the printing board. Create an L-shaped registration line for the lower and the upper corners using tape.

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STEP 5:

Apply ink to the inking plate, and place the brayer at the edge of the ink. Roll the brayer through the ink until it is evenly coated with ink. Then evenly ink the block with the brayer.

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STEP 6:

Once the inking is done, carefully lay your printing paper over the inked block. Burnish the back of the print paper with the baren and wooden spoon.

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STEP 7:

Slowly peel up the paper with both hands. If you are not satisfied with the print, you can further burnish with the wooden spoon, which helps achieve a more crisp and dense effect for the final work.

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STEP 8:

Try several test printing sessions, if needed. Once you are satisfied with the result, let your print dry.

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HAND-COLORED BLOCK PRINT

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Hand-coloring is one of the most frequently used methods for making a multicolor block print. Carved positive space on the block leaves endless possibilities to explore with different media, such as watercolor, colored pencils, or even acrylic paint. Hand-coloring yields a spontaneous and bright effect. It’s important to only apply color medium after the block print is completely dry—this is key to making a clean and beautiful hand-colored block print with mixed media. Feel free to create different editions with various adaptations of color on the same design.

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Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Tracing paper
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Watercolor paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife

STEP 1:

Draw a detailed sketch on a piece of paper. Once your drawing is finished, trace the lines on a piece of tracing paper with a soft-lead pencil. Try to maintain clean and accurate lines while tracing.

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STEP 2:

Transfer the image to the block using a bone folder. Place the tracing paper facedown on the block and gently press the bone folder along the tracing lines.

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STEP 3:

Once the drawing is transferred, trim the remaining block using a craft knife and ruler. Set aside the extra block for later projects. Remember to make a thorough and clean cut when cutting dense linoleum with a craft knife.

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STEP 4:

Now you’re ready to carve! Start with fine and V-shaped gouges for the outlines. For a design like this one, which consists of various shapes and lines, switch between different gouges as needed if you have an extra set. Since this block will be used for a base print to be colored with watercolor paint, most of the areas will be carved out positively. For larger areas, use a U-shaped gouge.

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STEP 5:

Remember that darkening the surface as you carve creates contrast between the carved and uncarved space. If desired, use an inkpad or permanent marker to create this contrast as you continue to carve.

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STEP 6:

Prepare the printing station with a mat and a printing board using a blank sheet of board paper or a wooden panel. I’m using a wooden panel in this project. If you have a spare thin board at home, simply cut it into pieces and make 90-degree L-shapes for the back corners of the block, attaching them with industrial glue. It’s best if the wooden panel is similar in thickness to the printing block. With this method, simply place the block on the mat directly and make a guideline on all four corners of the block for registration using masking tape.

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STEP 7:

Once the printing area is set up, you are ready to ink the block. Apply ink to the inking plate and roll the ink on the plate using a brayer, evenly coating the brayer’s surface. Gently lay the inked brayer on the block and roll it back and forth.

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STEP 8:

Set the inked block on the printing area and carefully lay the printing paper on top, aligned with the top left corner of the wooden panel or board paper. Burnish the back of the paper with the baren and wooden spoon. In this piece, the entire background is covered by ink, so proper burnishing will make a big difference in the results. Gently lift one edge of the print paper and check that the ink is fully transferred. If you are satisfied with the result, pull it off completely and set it aside to dry.

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STEP 9:

Once the block print is fully dry, you can start coloring. Choose your favorite medium to work with. For this piece, I’m using watercolor.

Continue painting or coloring in each element one at a time. When you’ve finished painting, set aside the piece until the paint is completely dry before displaying your masterpiece.

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Tip:

I recommend testing different combinations of watercolor paint before applying them to the print so the color results are to your liking.

There are endless possibilities to create different editions with your printed block. Enjoy exploring the world of mixed media—play with different color palettes or try out a new medium!

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MOSAIC-EFFECT BLOCK PRINT

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There are several techniques you can use to create multicolored prints on a single surface. In this project, we’ll explore creating a print with multiple textures, which can be achieved relatively easily without going through a complicated registration process. In printmaking terms, this technique is called chine-collé. It involves adding different papers in varying textures on the original base paper. Usually, lightweight and delicate papers are used, which can bring some transparency to the finished product. These paper pieces can fill the space of an object or be used as the background. Materials that work well for chine-collé include tissue papers, thin origami papers, and even thin fabrics.

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Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Tracing paper
  • Various origami or tissue papers
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Kraft paper (trimmed to the size of your block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife
  • Craft glue and paintbrush
  • Scissors

STEP 1:

Start by creating your sketch on drawing paper with a soft-lead pencil. Keep in mind that for this project, the inside of the object will be filled with paper materials, so only the outlines should remain after carving. Once you have finalized the design with clean and accurate lines, cut a sheet of tracing paper to the same size as the sketch. Place the tracing paper on the original and trace the image, using masking tape on the corners to keep the papers in place.

Place the tracing paper on the prepared carving block and carefully rub over the traced design with a bone folder, following each detailed line.

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STEP 2 :

Since this block will be carved as a positive-space design, add bold and even lines over the traced outlines with a permanent marker. This will help you achieve more consistent lines throughout the carving process.

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STEP 3:

Start by carving with the finest V-shaped gouges inside the outlines. It’s important to keep the lines consistent, with similar thickness, during the carving process. After carving the outlines, move on with your U-shaped wide gouges to finish carving the design.

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STEP 4:

Once you finish carving the block, prepare for the inking process. Ensure every surface is clean and dust-free, and then apply a small amount of ink to the inking plate. Coat the brayer with a thin, even layer of ink, and then gently roll it on the block to ink the design. Carefully line up a sheet of kraft paper, trimmed to the size of the block, on the carved block. Use a wooden spoon to burnish the back of the paper thoroughly. Kraft paper is quite thick, so it’s important to press firmly. Pull the paper off. If you are satisfied with the result, let it dry before cutting the pattern for the final print.

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STEP 5:

Using a sharp craft knife, carefully cut out each shape inside the printed area. It’s important to make clean lines inside, not outside, the printed area. Otherwise, the patterns for your collage will cover the printed lines when you place them over the final print.

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STEP 6:

Place the cut-out shapes on various origami papers. Trace the shapes with pencil and cut out each element with a craft knife or scissors. When all the shapes are ready, try them out on the kraft paper to check the visual balance before the final printing process. If you’re unhappy with any element of the design, try a different pattern or color for that shape.

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STEP 7:

Prepare for inking and printing by making a simple registration board (see here) with a sheet of blank board paper. Use the carved block to draw registration lines on the base board for all sides of the block. Apply ink to the inking plate, evenly coat the brayer with ink, and apply the ink evenly to the carved block.

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STEP 8:

Carefully line up the printing paper, starting with the bottom corner, and lay it on the inked block. Use a baren and wooden spoon to burnish the back side of the paper. Once you are satisfied with the ink transfer, slowly pull the paper from the block. Set aside to dry before applying adhesive to the surface.

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STEP 9:

Once dry, begin pasting the origami paper pieces. Use a paintbrush to apply a small amount of glue to the back of each shape. It’s important to apply a thin coat so the papers don’t warp. Pointed tweezers are a helpful tool for getting a tiny edge of origami paper to settle onto the print.

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STEP 10:

Once all the shapes have been applied, allow the adhesive to completely dry. Feel free to try making additional editions with papers of different textures and colors.

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Tip:

You can also choose to simply print the design on a patterned sheet of paper for another variation.

RAINBOW ROLL BLOCK PRINT

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With a single carved block, there are several ways to create different editions of your artwork with various colors. This project shows you how to create the effect of multiple colors within a single print using only one brayer. This technique is called the rainbow roll, which is also known as a gradient roll or blended roll. This method takes advantage of the brayer as a unique, easy way to apply ink to the block, and effective use of this technique can yield unexpected surprises for printmakers.

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Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Tracing paper
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife

STEP 1 :

Sketch your design on drawing paper with a soft-lead pencil. For this project, gradient ink will be applied over the whole block, so the design will be carved to allow lots of negative space for ink to take advantage of the rainbow roll technique—the positive space (the lines of the faces) will be carved away. After you complete the drawing, trace the design onto tracing paper, and then transfer the traced image to your trimmed block, pressing a bone folder thoroughly and evenly along all the lines.

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STEP 2:

When the image is fully transferred, it’s time to start carving. As usual, start by carving the outlines using fine V-shaped gouges. As you carve the fine drawing lines in a negative-space design like this, slow down your carving speed and strive for accurate lines—once carved, the line is irreversible.

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STEP 3:

When the image is fully carved, prepare a printing board for registration using a piece of white board paper. The board should be the same size as the printing paper. Using masking tape, fix all four sides of the board paper on the mat. Draw the margin lines using the block as a guide.

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Brayer Width

For the rainbow roll technique, it is best to use a brayer with a similar width as the carved block. The brayer should be wide enough to cover the whole surface. It’s best if the brayer is slightly wider than the carved block.

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STEP 4:

Inking the brayer for this technique may take some practice in determining the proper amount of each color. Always start with a small amount of ink on the inking plate. Apply the same amount of ink on the plate for all the colors, aligning them equidistant apart. Gently lay the brayer on the edge of the inks and roll it slowly back and forth. Repeat several times, checking to see that the whole surface of the brayer is covered with a thin layer of ink. As you can see, this process naturally blends the inks at their boundaries, creating beautiful gradation.

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STEP 5:

Once the brayer is completely covered, roll it gently on the carved block, watching to ensure the ink is applied to the entire surface. If the design occupies the edges of the block, as in this example, be extra careful not to miss those edges during the inking process. Try to keep the brayer position and movement the same to prevent the colors from mixing on the surface of the block.

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STEP 6:

Once inked, place the printing paper on the block, lining up the bottom edge with the printing board. Carefully burnish the back of the paper with a baren and wooden spoon—the wooden spoon is especially useful for achieving precise lines in the carved design.

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STEP 7:

Gently pull up the print paper with both hands and check to see if the gradation of ink applied evenly to the print paper. Rainbow roll yields a pop-of-color effect with a single block, and it’s always a surprising moment when you pull off the final print. Explore various color combinations until you find your favorite!

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For a gradient effect using a single color, create various tints and tones by mixing white or black into your chosen color.

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PUZZLE-CUT BLOCK PRINT

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The carving process makes block printing a unique art form that requires time and effort. To create a multilayered or multicolored block print, the printmaker technically needs to spend more time to prepare several blocks. Soft linoleum blocks, a more recently developed material, make it easier to split up a block into small pieces in various shapes, allowing the printmaker to combine them in different ways to create desired effects. This unique process is reminiscent of a jigsaw puzzle because all the block pieces are interlocked together for the final print.

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Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Tracing paper
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife
  • Colored pencils (optional)

STEP 1:

Draw your design on drawing paper with a soft-lead pencil. For this project, each element will be separated before the inking process and assembled during the printing process; keep in mind that the separating lines need to be marked clearly and accurately. When the sketch is complete, trace it on a sheet of tracing paper, and then place the tracing paper facedown on the block to transfer the design with a bone folder.

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STEP 2:

After transferring the final sketch to the block, you can start carving. Begin with the narrow and finest V-shaped gouges to carve the outlines. As you carve curves or circle shapes, turn your block with your non-carving hand, instead of rotating the carving tool. Keeping the carving tip in one position helps you make more even and continuous curve lines.

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STEP 3:

Once you complete the outlines, carve out the background area using a wide U-shaped gouge. Brush away any remaining tiny scraps of linoleum block with a paintbrush.

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STEP 4:

After carving, begin dividing each section with a sharp craft knife. It’s important to hold the knife vertically (see above), keeping your hand tight, and to apply even pressure toward the dividing line. Keeping the craft knife vertical creates 90-degree angles at the severed edges of the pieces, and even, clean dividing lines make it easier to assemble the block pieces after the inking process.

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STEP 5:

Continue cutting out all the puzzle pieces one at a time. If you like, test out your color palette on your original sketch using colored pencils before moving on to the inking process.

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STEP 6:

Prepare the base board for printing using a piece of board paper. Tape each side of the paper board onto the mat, and align the carved blocks together at the center to make an L-shaped registration line for the lower and upper corners using tape. This method helps keep the block positioned at the same location throughout the inking and printing processes. Mark the guidelines for the margin on the base board according to the size of the printing paper.

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STEP 7:

Prepare all the materials for the inking process. For a project like this, each divided block will be printed in a different color, and it’s best to have a separate brayer for each color. If you have only a few brayers, plan the inking process ahead to most effectively use all your colors.

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STEP 8:

Using various sizes of brayers, apply thin, even coats of ink on the blocks. Try to work quickly so the ink doesn’t dry.

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STEP 9:

Once all the block pieces are inked, assemble the elements and place them tightly at the center of the baseboard to make a final print.

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STEP 10:

Carefully lay the print paper on the block, aligning the bottom of the paper with the bottom margin guideline. Burnish the back of the print paper with a baren and wooden spoon. As you burnish, be sure to keep the elements tightly together in the right position as you apply pressure. When the ink is transferred completely, pull the paper off from the bottom with both hands.

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Tip:

With this technique, it’s not uncommon to see unbalanced results in the first test run, because each element has slightly different texture and character. So, keep experimenting until you figure out the most satisfactory combination!

MULTIPLATE BLOCK PRINT

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Printing in multiple colors allows the printmaker to create vibrant block prints. In this project, we’ll explore multiplate block printing. This method is often used for making prints with more than one color. The design consists of two blocks: a key block, to be printed in black, and a second block to be printed in multiple colors. Both blocks should be the same size, which makes it easier to create a fine registration line. This technique requires a bit more time to separately prepare each block and more advanced inking and printing skills.

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Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Tracing paper
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Black permanent marker
  • Acetate transparency sheet
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Bench hook (optional)
  • Dense cardboard
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife
  • Heavy duty utility knife

*Note: For this project, you’ll need two prepared blocks that are the same size.

STEP 1:

Draw your design on drawing paper with a soft-lead pencil. For this project, we’ll use a separate block for each layer of the print: one will be the key block, which determines the character of the print. This key block should contain clear, detailed lines and shapes. Once your design is finished, place a sheet of tracing paper on the original drawing, and trace the image. Tape the tracing paper facedown on the carving block, ensuring that the corners of the tracing paper and block match. Rub the bone folder across all the detailed lines of the drawing.

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STEP 2:

Once the image is transferred onto the key block, start the carving process. In this project, the key block provides all the line work for a positive-space print—that means you’ll carve away all the negative space around and in the design. Remember to start with fine V-shaped gouges to carve the design’s outline first. Then clear away the rest of the background and wide areas with a wide U-shaped gouge.

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STEP 3:

Next, prepare the acetate transparency sheet, which you’ll use as a transferring tool for the second block. Apply ink on the inking plate and slowly roll the brayer across the plate until it is evenly coated. Apply a thin layer of ink on the key block.

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STEP 4:

Carefully place the transparency sheet over the key block, ensuring that the top edges of the block and transparency sheet line up exactly. Use a baren and wooden spoon to apply even pressure across the back of the transparency sheet to transfer the design. A bone folder also works well for fine lines and details.

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STEP 5:

Carefully pull up the transparency sheet from the key block, checking that all the elements of the design have properly transferred to the sheet.

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STEP 6 :

Place the transparency sheet, design-side down, on the second block, carefully aligning all the edges. Using a baren, a wooden spoon, or the edge of a bone folder, slowly press down on all the line work of the design to transfer the image to the new block. Pull up the transparency sheet, double-checking that the entire image has transferred, and then allow to dry completely.

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STEP 7:

Once dry, carve away all the surface area around the elements of the design, leaving the shapes of the design in place.

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STEP 8:

Next, prepare the registration board. For a multiblock print, a good board registration is essential to achieve a visually perfect outcome. It’s important for each color and layer to overlap correctly. In this project, I use a bench hook and dense piece of cardboard as registration tools. The cardboard needs to be thick enough to hold the block during the printing process. Place the block at the center of the cardboard and make guidelines for both sides with a pen and a ruler. Using a heavy-duty utility knife, cut out the middle block area. Make sure the block tightly fits inside the frame—this will keep it at a fixed position during the printing process.

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STEP 9:

Now you’re ready to print! Start by printing with the second carved block first, since that will be the base layer of the finished print. I’m using four colors for this layer. If possible, use a separate brayer for each ink color. Apply a small amount of each ink on the inking plate. Roll one of the inks on the plate with a brayer. Lay the inked brayer on the desired area of the block and roll it back and forth. Repeat with each ink color and brayer until each area of the block is inked.

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Tip:

A bench hook is optional. It holds the linoleum block during the carving process and can also be used as a registration device with a cardboard frame, as I have done.

STEP 10:

Carefully lay the printing paper over the inked block. Here’s where that bench hook will come in handy—if the top line of the printing paper is aligned with the upper corner of the bench hook, the paper is fixed over the block and won’t move. Burnish the back of the print paper using a baren and wooden spoon.

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STEP 11:

Pull up the print paper slowly with both hands. If you’re not satisfied with the print, try again and apply more burnishing with a wooden spoon, which helps achieve a crisper effect. Try several test prints, if need be. Once you’re satisfied with the result, let your print dry.

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STEP 12:

Place the key block inside the cardboard frame. When printing with multiple blocks, always print the key block last. In most cases, the key block is printed with black ink to yield a vibrant and finely detailed image over the colored print. Ink your brayer with black ink, and roll a thin coat over the key block.

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STEP 13:

Carefully and slowly place the printing paper with the color layer facedown over the key block, ensuring that the corner of the paper aligns with the bench hook. Once positioned properly, burnish the back of the printing paper with a baren or wooden spoon.

Since the printing paper already holds a layer of color, it’s important to transfer the black ink completely over the colored surface. Take your time to ensure you thoroughly transfer the black ink. Then carefully pull the printing paper from the block.

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STEP 14:

If you’re happy with the results of your print, allow the ink to dry thoroughly before displaying your masterpiece. As with other multicolored block prints, you can explore different color schemes to create varying editions of your block print!

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REDUCTION BLOCK PRINT

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The reduction technique is another way to print with several colors using a single block. For this technique, the printmaker carves away each portion of the block one step at a time, which essentially “reduces” the various areas of the block until the final layer. Each layer is printed in a different color, progressing from lightest to darkest. During the inking process, each preceding layer is covered by the next layer until the final layer at the top. This is an irreversible process, as the layers are permanently carved away one by one. So, the key to success is careful planning! How many colors and layers will you use? Every step should be developed in the sketch process.

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Project Materials & Tools

  • Drawing paper or sketchbook
  • Dense linoleum carving block
  • Tracing paper
  • Soft-lead pencil (such as B or 2B)
  • Watercolor paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Carving tool set
  • Printing paper (trimmed to the size of the carved block)
  • Water-soluble block print ink in the colors of your choice
  • Palette knife (optional, if using ink in a can)
  • Inking plate
  • Brayers
  • Bench hook (optional)
  • Blank paper for print base
  • Dense cardboard
  • Baren or wooden spoon
  • Masking tape
  • Bone folder
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic (or metal) ruler
  • Craft knife
  • Heavy duty utility knife

STEP 1:

Start by sketching your detailed design on drawing paper. Remember to plan every detail from the beginning, because it’s impossible to make changes after carving each layer from a single block. Specifically, determine the number of layers you’ll print, the colors you’ll use, and other details during the sketch process. It can be helpful to use colored pencils on your original sketch to visualize the design from the beginning. You could even make copies of your sketch to explore multiple color combinations. In this project, the block is divided into three layers, with a new color applied to each layer. Once your drawing is complete, trace it on tracing paper with a soft-lead pencil. Try to maintain clean and accurate lines while tracing.

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STEP 2:

Next, transfer the first layer of the design to the block using the bone folder. Place the tracing paper facedown on the block and gently press the bone folder along the traced lines for the first layer. For this design, I’m only transferring the outline of the vase, which will be the first layer of color I print.

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STEP 3:

Once you’ve transferred the lines for the first layer, you are ready to carve. Start with fine V-shaped gouges for the outline. Since this is for the first layer, most of the block will remain; clear out the background area with the wide U-shaped gouge. Remember that in this first stage, you only want to carve away the areas to remain white.

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STEP 4:

Next, prepare the registration board. Place the block at the center of a piece of dense cardboard slightly larger than the size of the print paper. Make guidelines for both sides with a pen and a ruler. Using a heavy-duty utility knife, cut out the middle block area. Make sure the block tightly fits inside the cardboard frame; it will keep the block at a fixed position during the printing process and help you align the print paper consistently with the block for each layer throughout the process.

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STEP 5:

In this project, the vase is the object for the first layer, which I will print in light brown. Apply a small amount of ink on the inking plate and coat the brayer evenly with ink. Then ink the block, applying a thin, even layer of ink.

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STEP 6:

Place the inked block in the cardboard frame and carefully align the print paper with the edge of the bench hook and the cardboard frame. I recommend making a test print before going to the next step. Burnish the back of the paper carefully. Gently lift the print paper and double-check that the ink is fully transferred. Once you confirm that the registration is correct, make several editions of the first-layer print. Keep all the first runs of the print safe and clean, because once you start carving the next layer, you won’t be able to print this first layer again. Set aside all the prints and let them dry completely.

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STEP 7:

Next, prepare to print the second layer. Place the traced design facedown on the block and go over the whole design inside the vase with a bone folder.

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STEP 8:

After transferring a clear outline for the second layer, start carving. Note that you are carving out the area you want to keep as the original color of the first layer (light brown, in this case).

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STEP 9:

Repeat the inking process to print the second layer of the block print. Add a small amount of the new ink color on the inking plate, load the brayer with ink, and apply an even layer of ink on the block.

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STEP 10:

Carefully place the print paper over the inked block and burnish the back with a baren and wooden spoon to fully transfer the image. Make sure the print paper aligns with the registration device. Following every printing step, print the second layer on all the first-round prints you created with the first layer. Allow the prints to dry.

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STEP 11:

Prepare to print the third and final layer, which will use black ink. As the final layer of the project, the most detailed lines will appear on the carved block. Place the traced design facedown on the block and transfer the detailed image inside the vase with a bone folder. For the best results, try to make clean and accurate lines.

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STEP 12:

Once the outline for the third layer is complete, you can carve the last layer. Carve out the detailed lines using a fine V-shaped gouge, and clean out the wide areas using a U-shaped gouge.

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STEP 13:

Place the carved block in the cardboard frame. Add a small amount of black ink on the inking plate, load the brayer with ink, and apply an even layer of ink over the block.

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STEP 14:

Place the printing paper carefully over the inked block. Burnish the back of the printing paper with a baren and wooden spoon. Remember, there are already two layers of color on the paper, so be sure to burnish thoroughly to transfer this final layer of color. Slowly pull the print paper from the block. Done right, all the layers will combine beautifully! Repeat with all the rounds of prints and allow to dry thoroughly. You can mark the edition number on each one if you like!

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Layer 1

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Layer 2

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Layer 3

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