Woodblock

Woodblock is a type of relief printing where the picture is carved out of a piece of wood, the ink is rolled over the top and then printed. Two main techniques are employed either as a single method for an artwork or in tandem to create different effects. Keyblock is a process where different blocks are made up for different colours or areas of the print. Reduction woodblocks mean that only a single block is used, slowly being cut away for each colour (getting progressively darker), this technique is also called a ‘suicide block’ as the plate is altered at each stage of the print so if a mistake is made it either ruins the whole edition or has to be incorporated into the image.