Unit 6 · Project 3
Notan Block (Carved)
Transfer your final Notan design to a linoleum block and carve it.
Your Version 3 Notan design becomes your carving guide. Transfer the design to your linoleum block and carve it, remembering that the areas you carve away will NOT print — they become the white (light) areas of your Notan. The raised areas will hold ink and become the black (dark) areas. Because Notan is about the balance of light and dark, every carving decision affects both sides of the design equally. Carve deliberately and check your progress with test prints.
Objectives
- 1Transfer Version 3 design to linoleum block using carbon paper or pencil transfer
- 2Carve the negative (light) areas using appropriate gouges
- 3Take at least 2 test prints during carving to check progress
- 4Refine carving based on test print results
Materials
- Linoleum block (provided)
- Carving tools
- Carbon paper for transfer
- Bench hook
- Scrap paper for test prints
- Block printing ink and brayer
Tips
- Transfer your design lightly — heavy transfer lines can confuse you while carving
- Carve the large areas first, then refine the edges
- Test print early and often — don't wait until you think you're done
- Remember: you're carving the WHITE areas, not the black ones