How to Carve a Reduction Woodcut by Old School Alex

[@thesaxman]

Just found you Alex….fantastic detail and instruction…love your work…..will be studying your videos….

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it!

[@goldquoinpress7695]

Terrific Video. Great explanation. Very clear and engaging!

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks a lot!

[@ouidaart]

Great to see you spell this out Alex. I also do reduction woodcut but the beauty of printmaking is that no one does it like anyone else. My registration process is different too but it works for me. Thanks for being soooo precise and artistic!

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Thank you so much! I love seeing how others register their layers. Much appreciated!

[@philipwagner8560]

Well done! Amazing work... You make it seem so easy and yet it takes so much effort to master...So impressed.

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Thanks a lot, Phil! I appreciate you watching the video!

[@elrayox8932]

👍👍👍 Been following you on Instagram for awhile and am mesmerized by your work and the process. This was a great video. Thanks!

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!

[@jessicaallman351]

Question! What is your opinion on wood putties for "fixing" carving mistakes?

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

If using wood you can use a good wood filler no problem. Linoleum not so much. My preferred method is not to use a filler, but instead improvise and make it look as if the accident was intentional. Doesn’t always work but that’s my first step.

[@shunyata67]

Great footage again ! Alex, how do you remove the printing-color from the block before carving the next step to see the black lines again? The wood is so clean and I do not see any rest of color, especially on the carved areas (no marks of cleaning) Thanx for your work Ben

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

Thanks a lot! The ink is gently removed with a baby wipe because I use water-miscible ink (Speedball Professional Ink). It's very easy to remove because I spray all of my reduction woodcuts with a couple coats of rattle can clear, and it makes clean up way easier. If your using oil based ink, it's still easy to clean off but you have to use paper towels, lightly coated with vegetable oil.

[@indigenized4014]

Found you on Instagram! I'm getting ready to tackle my first reduction print using lino. But I'm really interested in doing a woodcut, is there a particular wood that you recommend?

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

That’s great! If you can keep your tools sharp I recommend basswood. It’s even easier to carve than lino. You can get it at any woodworking store or order it online too.

[@LockStoppageSandwich]

I just cannot get my head around this technique. I guess one way to work it out is to actually do one (as opposed to just trying to think it out.

[@AlexCarmona-OSA]

😂 Yes it is very confusing! Practice makes progress!