Block Print Magic: The Essential Guide to Designing, Carving, and Taking Your Artwork Further with Relief Printing

• Colorful, multi-block hex sign
• Reduction cut sunflowers print
• One-page pocket zine from a single block
• Fabric wall hanging embellished with embroidery
• Advanced carving techniques for creating textures

Product Description Block Print Magic is an essential guide to the techniques of linoleum block printing, including 17 captivating step-by-step projects and the works and insights of talented printmakers for inspiration and visual demonstration. Block Print Magic is the perfect reference for a wide range of printmaking enthusiasts. The easy-to-follow illustrated instruction takes you through every step of the process, beginning with choosing and caring for tools and setting up a studio, through design essentials, carving techniques, and printing techniques. Those techniques include multi-block printing, reduction cuts, puzzle blocks, and rainbow-roll printing. Advanced carving techniques for creating textures, crosshatching, and three-dimensional shading will give you the opportunity to expand and strengthen your expertise. Among the visually stunning projects you'll learn to create: Colorful, multi-block hex sign Reduction cut sunflowers print One-page pocket zine from a single block Fabric wall hanging embellished with embroidery Along with author Emily Howard's own work, artist spotlights feature interviews with and examples of work by five other contemporary artists—Lili Arnold, Jen Hewett, Kelli MacConnell, Derrick Riley, and Aftyn Shah—as a means of clarifying how each technique can be used in different ways. Block Print Magic is a must-have addition to any printmaker's bookshelf. From the Back Cover Block Print Magic is an essential guide to the techniques of linoleum block printing, including 17 captivating step-by-step projects and the works and insights of talented printmakers for inspiration and visual demonstration. Block Print Magic is the perfect reference for a wide range of printmaking enthusiasts. The easy-to-follow illustrated instruction takes you through every step of the process, beginning with choosing and caring for tools and setting up a studio, through design essentials, carving techniques, and printing techniques. Those techniques include multi-block printing, reduction cuts, puzzle blocks, and rainbow-roll printing. Advanced carving techniques for creating textures, crosshatching, and three-dimensional shading will give you the opportunity to expand and strengthen your expertise. About the Author Emily Howard is the heart, hands, and mind behind The Diggingest Girl*—the name of her print business, popular instagram account, and Etsy shop. Along with selling her work online, Emily shows her work throughout the year at print, art, and craft exhibitions from Michigan to Georgia. Emily was born in Vermont, raised in Kentucky, and educated at the University of Kentucky, where she received a BFA in painting. Emily went on to get her MFA in painting and her MAAE with K–12 licensure at the University of Cincinnati. She carves her blocks and prints her work full time in Erlanger, Kentucky. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Block Print Magic The Essential Guide to Designing, Carving, and Taking Your Artwork Further with Relief Printing By Emily Louise Howard The Quarto Group Copyright © 2019 Emily Howard All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-63159-615-5 Contents Introduction, CHAPTER 1: Essential Tools and Materials, CHAPTER 2: Essential Techniques, CHAPTER 3: The Basics, CHAPTER 4: Targeted Techniques, CHAPTER 5: Waste Not, Glossary, Resources, Acknowledgments, About the Author, Index, CHAPTER 1 ESSENTIAL TOOLS AND MATERIALS In this chapter, you'll learn about the basic materials needed to take you from bright idea to successful linocut print. Linocut printing is a form of relief printing, the process of pulling a print from a carved block, where the ink is deposited on the remaining (uncarved) areas of the block. One of my favorite things about relief printmaking is that you don't need expensive equipment to make studio-quality prints, and most tools are relatively affordable. There are lots of brands of tools, papers, blocks, and inks to try, so research and experiment to find what works best for you. ESSENTIAL TOOLS Blocks CARVING BLOCKS Though printmaking encompasses many different types of carving surfaces, this book focuses on the use of linoleum and rubber blocks. Soft rubber is often a good choice for younger, less experienced printmakers as it is easy to cut with beginner's tools. I also prefer soft rubber when printing on fabric. The sturdier linoleum is harder to cut and requires sharp tools but its density holds detailed cuts beautifully, and it is less likely to accidentally squish and bleed during printing. LINOLEUM BLOCKS Made of linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, and pine resin, linoleum is a medium that many artists choose to work in because of its renewable composition. It comes in a variety of small-to-medium standard sizes as well as in large rolls, and due to its flexibility it can be cut into any shape. Many professional printmakers prefer the unmounted "battleship gray" linoleum. Linoleum sometimes comes mounted on thick blocks o