Skip to content
Home
Favourites
0
Advanced search
Shopping cart
0
Register
Log in
Images of Edinburgh
Browse map
Area A - Z
Browse by date
Exhibitions
Current exhibition
All exhibitions
Collections
About the collections
Browse by theme
Subject A - Z
The image library for the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries
Images of Edinburgh
Browse map
Area A - Z
Browse by date
Exhibitions
Current exhibition
All exhibitions
Collections
About the collections
Browse by theme
Subject A - Z
Wood cut
Wood cut
Wood cut
About the image medium
Name
Wood cut
Notes
This is a technique also known as woodblock printing and was used in China for many centuries to print books. It involves the carving of a wooden block so that an image stands out in relief which is then inked and pressed against paper, either mechanically or by hand. Japanese Ukiyo-e prints of the Edo period (1620s to 1860s) were produced in a three-stage process: first the artist would paint a design with ink, then his assistant would carve the design onto wooden blocks, one for each of the colours. Finally coloured ink would be applied to the blocks to enable a print to be produced from the design, with up to 200 copies made at one time. As the technique developed a wider range of colours was used.
Subjects
Related items