Unit 2 · Project 3
Texture Block (Carved)
Transfer your grid plan to a linoleum block and carve your texture design.
Now the digital becomes physical. Using your grid plan as a guide, you'll transfer your texture design onto a linoleum block and carve it using relief printing tools. Remember: what you carve away will NOT print — the raised areas will. Work slowly and deliberately, always carving away from your body. Start with the large areas first, then refine the details. The goal is a block that captures the essence of your texture — not a photographic reproduction, but a translation of it into the language of printmaking.
Objectives
- 1Transfer your grid plan design onto the linoleum block using carbon paper or pencil transfer
- 2Carve away the negative (non-printing) areas using appropriate gouges
- 3Demonstrate safe tool handling throughout
- 4Test-print the block before finalizing to check your carving
Materials
- Linoleum block (provided)
- Carving tools — V-gouge, U-gouge, flat gouge
- Carbon paper or soft pencil for transfer
- Bench hook for safety
Tips
- Always carve away from your body — never toward your hand
- Start with the largest areas and work toward detail
- Do a test print early — ink the block and press it on scrap paper to see what you have
- You can always carve more away, but you can't add material back