Printmaking Process

Printmaking is a long, messy, and fun process. I am taking printmaking right now in college and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I would like to explain what all it involves and what I've been doing so far.

Our first assignment has been woodcuts. We have to do 3 different woodcuts (I think). A 1 color print, a print with 2 or more colors, and a rainbow roll print. So for woodcuts you will need some wood, carving tools, and time. Oh and maybe some bandaids.

Next, you need to come up with a plan, draw it out, sketch, scribble, think, whatever....

then start carving. And when you start carving, you will get a bunch of these little curling wood chips. They are so awesome! ....until you have to start cleaning them up.....

Once you are done carving, get some ink out. The ink is SO much fun to mix and play with but be careful not to pull out more than you are going to use.

After you have mixed the color you like, ink up your piece of wood and print it (or stamp it). :D

And if you are not happy with your first print, make some changes.

And print it again.

Make more changes if necessary and print again.

....and again

Get your hands dirty and....

print again.

Hopefully, if you are lucky, you will finally get something that you like and then edition it. Make as many as you want.

This gnome project has taught me so much. The most important thing that I learned, is that I need to plan things out better. I need to plan ahead and think of every detail. That way I can save time, ink, and paper. On this project I spent way too much time trying to come up with a color scheme. I wasted ink in the process as well. I learned that before I even start inking and even carving, I need to know my idea, my color schemes, and what all I will need to do to turn my idea into art.