My Process
These are the different stages to create a woodcut
To start, I draw from life by collecting information, researching and taking photographs.
Once I have enough information, I develop the drawing in the studio thinking about composition to work out the dynamic between what will be cut away from the block and what will be inked up.
I Then reverse the image transferring it onto the block
Carving out the image, always being conscious to work from instinct so that the life of the drawing is not lost through process.
After the block has been carved, I will roll ink over the surface.
Paper is then laid over the inked block. I prefer to use handmade Japanese paper (traditional in Japanese woodblock printing) which is quite delicate but picks up the ink well and I choose off-white or ivory paper as it’s less harsh against the black ink that I usually work with.
Then, I apply pressure by hand gently burnishing the back of the paper with a wooden spoon.
Finally, I carefully pull the paper away from the block revealing the print.
The most satisfying part of the process. Each print is individually hand-printed to order.
