"Ruebeckias, #2 20/32"
Woodcut and Watercolor.
Image Size: 4 W x 4" H.
Framed Size: 8" W x 8" H.
Sylvia Pixley - Toledo Artist
The Process of Wood Engraving
I begin with sketches, photographs, and research materials to develop a working design. This design is transferred, in reverse to a very smooth end grain block of maple wood. I begin carving out the white areas with different sizes of wood engraving tools, called burins. They produce very narrow to very wide white lines. I have finished carving a block in a week, but it usually takes me three weeks for an average block. I complete 10-18 blocks a year. To print a proof (a sample), a brayer (roller) is used to spread a thin layer of oil-based printing ink on the surface of the block, coating the uncarved, raised...