Woodcut and Pandemic

Like corona virus, woodcut printing originated in china before it became viral. back in 220 AD the chinese first used wood cuts to print flowers on silk. like corona, woodcut technology spread through europe then japan then america. i printed my first 'corona' plant today. the process was unexpected. 

step 1: procure a set of chisels

 step 2: cut wood

step 3: check the print by making a rubbing with crayon and tracing paper

step 4: soak the paper in a shallow basin of water for an hour. damp paper apparently 

absorbs ink better. 

step 5: while waiting for the paper to absorb moisture, adjust the pressure of the printing press by rotating the spindles. 

step 6: in sending the woodcut through the press sandwiched in newsprint paper and a blanket, the pressure should be adjusted so as to squeeze the wood cut firmly to ensure the ink is transferred to the paper effectively. 

step 7: once the pressure has been gauged, start rolling the ink out on a glass table with a brayer. the ink should be rolled out thin and smooth so when it is rolled on the woodcut it's smooth, without inconsistencies, lumps, or bubbles.

step 8: start blotting out the wet paper to dry with newsprint. use a rolling pin to get excess water out. place the paper with its watermark facing the woodcut block. 

step 9: send the block through the press with the paper. 

step 10: additional prints can be made without inking. this prints are called 'ghosts', as they come out gray in tone. hang the prints on a clothesline to dry.