Christine Howes

Woodcuts

Woodcuts are made using the side grain of a piece of wood, I use birch faced ply wood, but other woods can be used. This type of print is often larger than an engraving and the grain of the wood sometimes shows. To make a woodcut in colour takes time and patience. Three or more colours can be used, each one needing a separate printing, which can require separate woodblocks for each colour.

All the methods of relief printing can be printed by hand, but Christine prefers to use a hand operated printing press.