EXPLORE
THE ART OF
BLOCKS
Content
1) Blocks 2) Other Materials and Set up 3) Exploring mediums 4) Patterns and repetition 5) Common Mistakes 6) Applications and usage
Blocks
Do you remember as a child using vegetables like lady finger, dipping the base in paint and printing on paper. This is exactly like that. Block will have the designs that we will print. You can make blocks at home with variety of materials or use a readymade block which is mostly available in wood or rubber. I have used 1) wooden blocks which I got from a kalamkari artist 2) I made one with linolium sheet. 3) Made few smaller ones with erasers, foamsheet, foamboard and cardboard. Flip to next to have a look at them with their trial prints.
Woodblock
Lino cut
Foam sheet block for filling
Woodblock for outlines
combined print
Woodblock
Eraser
Got design on block by printing the design and removing excess
Eraser
Got design on block with tracing sheet
Foam sheet
Got design on block by printing the design and removing excess
Foam board
Got design on block by printing the design and removing excess
Cardboard
Got design on block by printing the design and removing excess
GRIDS In most of the block printimg techniques, the blocks are made following a grid so that there’s continuity and pattern when multiple prints are created. Few of the blocks also follow symmetry. There are a lot of grids and types of symmetry. Try exploring different grids and symmetry while making a design for the block. Symmetry can be in the way it is printed and within the design of the block too.
Here are few examples of the grids and designs made by following them. Further ahead in this section you will find blank grids for you to try out patterns. Square Grid (Most used grid)
Radial Grid (creates pattern in a circular path)
Isometric Grid (creates 3d patterns and illusions)
Hexagonal Grid (used to create complex patterns)
Other materials and Set up
Grab whatever you can print on any kind of paper, different packaging, cloth peices, old tops, jeans etc. Ones I used are
Greeting card 150gsm
Newspaper
150 gsm Ivory sheet
Thin Kraft paper
210 gsm Ivory sheet
Thick Kraft paper
Silk and cotton
cotton Felt sheet
100 gsm
Cloth Foam Sheet
80 gsm cartridge
120 gsm coated paper (pamplet)
150 gsm cartridge
Tracing sheet
Brown Sheet
Mount board
Canvas sheet
For section- Exploring medium, refer the right image as a key for paper details and usage.
Grab whatever you can print with (mediums) stamp pads, inks, acrylics, natural colouring agents like turmeric, poster paints , fabric paints. Along with these you might need sponge, rag or old cloth, cutter, water container , flat surface to pour mediums, brushes and if you are clumpsy then an apron too :p If you area making your own block the carving tools. You can try using potato for making simple blocks ! Set up Take a thick cloth or an old bedsheet and fold it. This will become the base of your printing station. If you dont want to spoil the bedsheet then cover it with a table cover or cut plastic bags and lay it down. Personally for me, working on the floor helped because i have larger surface and can spread how much ever I want. Keep water and rag handy.
Few tips 1) Clean the block often. Make sure paint residues are removed. 2) You can use brush, sponge, rag to clean it. Keeping it under running water helps but make sure you dont waste too much water. 3)It is better to mark a direction in which the block is printed on top of the block. This reduces the chance of misprint. 4) If you are making a block at home try making a diy handle for it to give out better prints easily. 5) Keep your hands clean to avoid finger prints and stains.
Exploring Mediums
What is medium ? Medium is the material used to print in simpler words the ‘paints’. But hey we are not going to limit ourselves to that. Grab any inking supply around. As we move ahead with printing, lets get an idea of few mediums. In this section we will see how different mediums look of different kinds of substrates.These are the materials used by me, but feel free to add or use few or just one among these! Whatever is around just try them. Stamp pads, Drawing inks, poster paints, acrylic, fabric paints, medium white and some turmeric. Along with these any surface you think you can print on, some brushes, a rag and sponge. Remember the main idea is to have fun and enjoy and inturn explore and learn in a flow.
STAMP PADS A porous pad, often made of a felt-like material, impregnated with ink. Basic colours are available easily. Violet, green, black and red are most commonly used colours. Few findings based on my exploration1) Dabbing the block few time on the stamp pad until you get ink on the whole surface of the block gives a clean print. 2) You can also evenly spread the ink after dabbing with help of a dry brush. 3) Stamp pads are most convenient to use and makes the printing faster.
DRAWING INKS Water-resistant permanent inks and have high pigment and intensity. They have huge variety of colours. Few findings based on my exploration1) Apply the ink with brush and then with help of sponge rub (dont dab) to even the ink out. 2) If the inks too watery make sure its not dribbing while making printing. 3) They give a a clean finish if the consistency of the ink is proper.
ACRYLIC PAINTS A fast-drying paint made of pigment They have huge variety of colours. They are available in tubes and bottles. Few findings based on my exploration1) Remove the paint on a flat large surface. Make a paste like consistency with help of water. 2) Using sponge evenly rub the paint on the block. 3) Clean the block often because acrylic gets dries up and forms a layer. 4) If the paint is evenly applied the texture of the block is not visible.
POSTER PAINTS An opaque paint with a water-soluble binder. They have huge variety of colours. They are easily available. Few findings based on my exploration1) Remove the paint on a flat large surface. Make a paste like consistency with help of water. 2) Use brush to apply the paint on the block. 3) Use dry brush to remove access if any. Be more careful with the edges. 4) If the paint is evenly applied the texture of the block is not visible.
FABRIC PAINTS Fabric paint is a combination of dye and a binding agent, which makes it cling to the fabric. They have huge variety of colours usually ib bottles. Few findings based on my exploration1) Paste like consistency gives better outcome. 2) Use brush to apply the paint on the block 3) Use dry brush to remove access if any. Be more careful with the edges. 4) Some of the fabric paints take a while to dry.
DIY NATURAL DYE Medium white binds the pigment in paint. Any natural colouring substance like turmeric - powdered form is better to mix. Few findings based on my exploration1) Paste like consistency. Make sure there are no lumps. 2) Use brush to apply the paste on the block 3) Use dry brush to remove access if any. Be more careful with the edges. 4) Apply less pressure while printing than usual.
Patterns and Repetitions
Taking the prints from blocks forward, try making patterns! Here’s a short exercise for you. The prints of few blocks are made as stickers. You can arrange and rearrange them until you are statisfied. Then you can finally peel them off and stick on the paper! Pattern making is an important part of woodblock printing. It makes the textile complete and unique. The same block can have multiple patterns. Similary there are variety of ways in which a block can be repeated to form a design. Its fun to see how much variety can be created. Further in this section, you can see few examples of patterns repetitions and combinations.
Find the stickers in this pocket:) Arrange them on the page on the right.
Experiment with the different kinds of repetition, layering, combinations, colour application. Mix the blocks, mix mediums, try different surfaces, different directions and trigger your curiousity
Oops, few common mistakes!
There are few common mistakes that I observed. This section is all about it so that you can try to avoid them. But there’s some different kind of beauty in these flaw prints too so dont worry if you make a mistake. Just embrace it!
uneven medium
bleed
too much medium
too much medium
too much water
dried up medium
moved block
moved the paper
fingerprint
changing direction of the block
wrong placement of the block
uneven spacing and misalignment
uneven pressure while making a pattern
Application and usage of the prints
So once your beautiful prints are ready, you can go wild in its usage. You can frame it and use as a painting or laminate it to use as table mats or coasters. If you have printed on cloth you can make your own shirts, wall hangings, floor or table runner, bandanas, curtains, pillow covers. The list is endless and possibilities are limitless.
Happy exploring :)