The Woodcut Artist's Handbook: Techniques and Tools for Relief Printmaking

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Knowledge comes from pairing instruction and example. Walker provides
both in this extensive introduction to block printing. Definitions are
part of comprehension, and he clears up much of the confusion that
traditionally surrounds relief prints by explaining the differences
between woodcuts and wood engraving, with excellent illustrations of
each.

The work is a primer for both block cuts and engraving, covering the
individual steps from selecting materials and tools, through the use and
care of the various tools, selection of papers and inks, options for
printing, and presentation of the finished print. A detailed chapter
with extensive illustrations is devoted to relief printing in colour,
including using a reduction block technique. The influence of computers
and digital technology is mentioned.

Walker places printmaking in its historical context, briefly describing
the woodcut’s migration from Japan to Europe and the development of
engraving in England. Woodcuts and engravings are interesting in that
they entail an element of craft in their creation yet are fine art in
their concept and communication. They have flexibility in their
potential to accommodate simple or complex designs, and can be worked in
one or several colours and in a range of sizes.

This how-to manual is integrated with samples of the work of 49
artists, both historic and contemporary. The collection has been
carefully selected to illustrate the spectrum of techniques and styles.
The work has all the ingredients needed to be a useful introductory
guide and reference: glossary, bibliography, biographies of artists,
lists of organizations and suppliers, some relevant websites, and an
index. It is a one-stop getting-started guide for beginners, and a great
source of useful tips, reminders, and ideas for the practising crafts
worker/artist.