Woodcut

Woodcut is a relief printing technique where a wooden block is carved, leaving a raised design. This is inked and then printed onto paper by applying pressure, either by using a mechanical press or hand burnishing using a baren.

Working with wood has a unique tactility which makes it an exciting and sensory medium to work with, the natural grain of the wood is often featured in the finished work and can vary between tree species from tightly whorled grain to looser meandering patterns.

Carving a woodblock provides its own unique challenges as the wood has its own character and will naturally want to guide the tools in a certain direction. Working in the direction of the grain will yield more to the tools than cutting across it, and the tighter the grain the more difficult the wood is to carve.