Advanced Woodcut Tutorial - Using The Knife

[@lizday8140]

I wish I had been introduced to such delicate work as a younger woman. I could have done that well...and it looks so beautiful! Great job and I hope you inspire lots of new artists!!!

[@bernadettebarragan6070]

Forever grateful for this! I felt like carvers were keeping some secrets from me that I’d only gain knowledge about right before I died. Thank you for the tips and tricks. I work on linoleum and plan to use my knife for those tight areas.

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Awesome! I’m so glad this helped you!

[@theshanebrownproject]

Dude, I’m just getting into Linocut art. Your insta has been a major source of inspiration. Thank you.

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Right on! That makes me happy to hear. Thank you very much.

[@derekmoore797]

Thanks Alex, I never understood what the knife was for. Now I can see as a go to tool.

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

I’m glad the video helped! Thanks!

[@MrGrimlock2099]

I just ordered the Pfeil set C (I tried a 1mm V first and loved it). Now I know my next purchase! Thanks

[@maxtravers1314]

Thann you so much! I’ve been looking for guidance on how on earth such delicate lines could be achieved with woodcut

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rcarbee7016]

I enjoyed your video very much. Please make more. You are a great teacher.

[@CalebKraftmakes]

holy hell man. I follow you on instagram. Very happy to see you're doing youtube videos. I'll be paying attention here!

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Hey thanks a lot man! Just subscribed to your page and cant wait to watch your videos!

[@alexcameron_]

Wow so detailed

[@Andres66Cali]

Muchas gracias!

[@volpir4672]

excellent thank you

[@susansilvasauro]

Awesome! Thanks for share your work! 👏👏

[@joewink7115]

Good to know. Good idea. Thanks

[@joewink2088]

Hello. Cool video. Good info. Question. Care for blocks. How to cleanup after ink. You just can’t wet wood. Care after inking.

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Always make sure you don’t over-ink your blocks. At the end of your printing process run a few more prints with some sacrificial paper to get excess ink off. Let the ink dry and you can come back to it and print it again whenever.

[@indigenized4014]

Awesome video! I just ordered some of the flexcut tools as well as a knife so I'm excited to try it out! Being fairly new to printmaking I'd love to see more tutorials and tool recommendations.

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Thanks a lot! I’ll be posting some mew tutorials this fall. Glad it helped.

[@ouidaart]

great video, so good of you to share your secrets, just like the rest of us printmakers. Bravo!...now how about mentioning the type of wood you prefer? Or save that for another tutorial? Either way, I'm following your lead. Thanks.

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

I actually never thought of making a video like that but I definitely will! Thank you so much for the idea. There are different wood species I use depending on the project. Basswood is the easiest to carve but you need to keep your tools very sharp. Hard maple is also one of my favorites because it holds up better than basswood. End grain maple is the best for tiny details but it is by far the hardest to carve.

[@rcarbee7016]

Oh please post a video about tonal values.

[@jessicaallman351]

Hello! I'm wanting to start doing woodcuts. I've been a huge fan of the woodcut illustration style of art my entire life. Do you have any tips to get started? Or tutorials on how to do the artwork itself before the carving?

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Sorry it took me so long to respond! The way I learned was by carving linoleum. Wood has a lot of complexities and I wouldn’t recommend starting there because you then have to know the art of sharpening! My process is much different than most others because I don’t draw out my tonal values. Instead I use an approach more like a tattoo artist with my drawing in a simple outline form and I map out my different tonal values as I go. Just remember the you have to get use to thinking in the negative as if you were drawing on a black piece pf paper with a white marker. I hope that helps lol!

[@ronnieharris8400]

Deadly

[@M4th3u54ndr4d3]

this is the diagonal pfeil tool, right? The 1s/8 tool. And what about the straight knife (1/8 tool)? How to use it?

[@surakit150]

Alex could you please advise me where can I get a very tiny “u” tools like the one you use it? Thanks in advance

[@tristanrhodes1459]

What would it take to get you up to Eric and Pam Bealer's property and show us how to use the press?

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Please send me an email. I would love to travel and do something there! Email: [e-mail]

[@Sylthanti]

What kind of knife do you use?

[@Trish64]

Is this a tool from Pfeil in Switzerland, my home country? If so, can you tell me the number of the tool?

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Yes! This is a #1 knife

[@Trish64]

Thank you very much. And best regards

[@peaceseeker123]

What chisels should I get to start I’m poor keep in mind. I want to use this to make myself more free from working for a boss

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

I would start carving linoleum first. This was you can buy any cheap chisels and practice before you get into carving wood. You can get a cheap set online around $10-20.

[@printmaker]

Thanks for the great video Alex. I'm convinced! Quick question, do you happen to know the product name for this knife? I find Pfeil's naming system a bit confusing. Thanks!

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

No problem! I'm glad you found it helpful. I have several of their knives and I also find their naming structure confusing. I can honestly say that they are all pretty similar. I prefer using ones that a pointier because they allow for more precise cuts. If you're carving on linoleum though you can always use an exacto knife!

[@printmaker]

@@AlexCarmona-OSA thanks mate. I've switched over to wood recently and need to get splintering/flaking under control so your knife suggestion may do the trick. Cheers.

[@LadySalemRaven]

damn bro your good