Relief Printing
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To make a relief print, a raised surface is carved and inked, the resulting image being transferred to paper or cloth. The image will print the areas that were not carved away. Tools such as carving knives, gouges, and chisels are used to carve the block. Relief etching, woodcut, linocut, and wood engravings are some of the forms of relief printmaking.
Woodcut is the most ancient expression of printmaking. Wooden stamps were the first “relief prints”. With the development of paper in China during the 2nd century A.D., the stamps evolved into wood blocks. Once paper was produced in large quantities during the 14th century, woodcuts made their way to France, Germany, and Italy. Woodcuts were used in books, magazines, and newspapers. The invention of movable type enabled people to print entire pages.
The contemporary artist uses linoleum and/or wood to create images with graphic qualities. Linoleum has no particular direction to its grain and does not tend to split, which are common problems when carving with wood. Linoleum is also much easier to carve than wood, but the pressure of the printing process degrades the plate faster. It is also difficult to create larger works due to the material’s fragility. The grain of wood gives a nice texture to the print.
Woodcut is the most ancient expression of printmaking. Wooden stamps were the first “relief prints”. With the development of paper in China during the 2nd century A.D., the stamps evolved into wood blocks. Once paper was produced in large quantities during the 14th century, woodcuts made their way to France, Germany, and Italy. Woodcuts were used in books, magazines, and newspapers. The invention of movable type enabled people to print entire pages.
The contemporary artist uses linoleum and/or wood to create images with graphic qualities. Linoleum has no particular direction to its grain and does not tend to split, which are common problems when carving with wood. Linoleum is also much easier to carve than wood, but the pressure of the printing process degrades the plate faster. It is also difficult to create larger works due to the material’s fragility. The grain of wood gives a nice texture to the print.