Woodcut

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/woodcut

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the printing process?Relief printing technique involving carving a wooden block
2. What is the carving direction?Typically cut along the wood grain, distinguishing it from wood engraving
3. How do artists make a woodcut?Artists carve away the parts that will stay white, leaving the picture raised. They then put ink on the raised surface and press it onto paper. The result is a printed image that looks like the carved design.
4. Why were woodcuts important in the past?In the 15th century woodcuts helped spread books, pictures, and news to many people. They were used in religious books, playing cards, and news prints. This made information easier to read and share.

Relief Printing: A printing method where ink is applied to raised surfaces of a carved block.
Xylography: The art or process of carving woodcuts; less common term in English.
Blockbooks: Early books printed entirely from woodblocks, containing both text and images.
Brayer: A roller used to apply ink evenly to the printing surface of a block.