Wood engraving in art is a relief form of printmaking where the artist creates an image by cutting into the surface of a wood block.
Understanding the Technique
Relief printmaking means that the areas of the block that are not cut away are the parts that will receive ink and print onto the paper. In simpler terms, you cut away the negative space, leaving the image standing in relief.
Key Features of Wood Engraving
A defining characteristic of wood engraving, as highlighted in the reference, is the material and how it's used. It is usually done on the end grain of a block, typically made from boxwood.
Why the end grain and boxwood?
- Boxwood is very hard: This density allows for precise cuts and prevents splintering.
- End grain is stable: Cutting into the end grain (the top or bottom surface of a tree trunk) provides a much denser and more uniform surface than the side grain (like a plank).
This combination of hard wood and the stable end-grain surface is crucial because it allows for extremely fine detail. Unlike traditional woodcuts done on the side grain, wood engraving tools (called burins or gravers) can produce delicate lines and subtle tonal variations, making it possible to create intricate and detailed images.
Here are some key aspects:
- Technique: Relief printmaking involving cutting into wood.
- Material: Typically hard wood like boxwood.
- Surface Used: The dense end grain of the wood block.
- Tools: Sharp engraving tools called burins or gravers.
- Result: Enables the creation of exceptionally fine detail and tonal effects through dense patterns of lines and dots.
This technique has been historically important for book illustrations and standalone prints due to its ability to produce detailed images that could be printed alongside type.
