My First Woodcut -- My Version of a Durer Engraving as a Woodcut

This was my first woodcut print. To be perfectly accurate, I started this woodcut but then did another smaller woodcut before completing the Durer piece. So, maybe it's my second woodcut. I had done a few linocuts before this so that helped a lot with the woodcut process. For my woodcut plate, I used Shina plywood, which is soft and cuts much like a linocut.
I have done scratchboard illustration for over 40 years, and my scratchboard style looks a lot like an old woodcut. I use thick and thin parallel lines that follow the contour, which is very much the way the old-time woodcuts were made.
I understand that some of you will be critical of me for more or less copying a Durer work, but this was a learning project for me. I thought it would push me to do my best if tried to imitate a Durer piece. I picked Durer because he is thought of as the ultimate engraver and woodcut artist. And I picked one of his engravings because there is no way to duplicate the linework of an engraving with woodcut. So, although I used his composition, I did use my own linework. However, If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have used the drawing from another artist.
I'm reaching the time in my illustration career to where I'm wanting to work on my own projects. Scratchboard and Printmaking is where I seem to be heading.
The voiceover was done with Amazon Polly.
Printing was by Pele Prints
www.peleprints.com/
Materials: Shina Plywood, Komasuki knives, and Japanese paper
Illustration and video by Michael Halbert:
www.inkart.com/
www.behance.net/MichaelHalbert

[@yetanotherjohn]

Copying of someone else's work is considered mandatory in the Japanese Ukio-e technique, where a student must duplicate a master artist's style before they can pursue their own compositions. Copying Durer sets a standard, I am impressed and I'm sure you learned a lot and you have an objective evaluation of your own technique and patience.

[@smellyrhinostudio]

yes. he has done a marvelous job!

[@TodayTestfbsfbsfbs]

In the middle age of germany copying the art of the masters was also a common thing.

[@vytisagafonovas3887]

When i saw the painting i was liko no way you gona carve that out.

[@owendaily1931]

Mr Halbert, it's humbling to know a man of your abilities and experience is still taking classes. Outstanding work. Thanks for sharing ...

[@Hatasumi69]

Making copies is nothing to feel guilty about when you're honest about the original source. Replicating masterworks is one of the best ways to learn techniques and you created a wonderful reproduction while helping others understand the process. Thank you!

[@machemyburgh470]

Bro, we are doing this woodcut for homeschool art, and your video helped so much! You have my eternal respect for carving the whole thing out!

[@MichaelHalbert1952]

Thank you. Good luck with your woodcut work!

[@machemyburgh470]

@@MichaelHalbert1952 appreciate it! I'm still scared after I gouged my thumb on my previous attempt :D But I think we were using the wrong type of wood. Care to share what type of wood you used? Also, the name of your woodcut had everyone in stitches!

[@MichaelHalbert1952]

@@machemyburgh470 I use Shina plywood. I get it from McClains online. Actually, I like linocut just as well. The battleship gray linoleum, 1/8 inch.

[@dangeloromero3874]

A man that knows his limits will eventually go farther than what he thought was possible. Hopefully at some point in the future you can be able to make your own prints!

[@snorgonofborkkad]

I absolutely adore this method of print making. It’s so beautiful, rewarding, and therapeutic. It feels like an almost religious experience. I love hyper detailed, monotonous, hands on craft like this. I feel like I’m witnessing my calling in life. Thank you so much for these videos.

[@johnprentice1527]

I have always loved Durer's woodcut, and you have done him proud. Beautiful woodcut; I can't believe this is only your second! Keep it up.

[@nathangrimberg5989]

Only by copying the great masters can you ever hope to surpass them. Good on you - I wouldn't worry too much about copying them!

[@dejanpopovic6003]

From a young age, I admired the engravings of Albert Direr. Your work could certainly go hand in hand with his. Masterpiece. Great job.

[@TonyDixonPhotography]

I don't think there is anything wrong with making master copies, it's part of the art process. I never thought I would have the patience to do pointillism but I surprised myself, but I can say with out doubt that there's no way I would have the patience to do this. Fantastic work!

[@GioVanniDaThird]

this needs 1 million views

[@MichaelHalbert1952]

Thank you.

[@GospodinJean]

Albrecht Dürer would be proud of you!

[@pulsechannel6401]

So cool, thank you.

[@Fyrnaelli]

Awesome! You've so much patience! The result is wonderful, truly good job!

[@user-ps8vu4fw1g]

Woooooooow awesome!!!

[@ihspan6892]

Crazy! Outstanding!

[@Guruc13]

I also tried to copy a Durer woodcut! I even painted it red and everything! I left it a few months ago, it was taking way too long. I salute and praise you for your commitment to practice!

[@mikecastro2894]

Gorgeous !!

[@TheJinzoSpoon]

Oh my God. That's insane. You are an inspiration, Michael

[@LevelNineDrow]

This is fantastic! So beautiful.

[@MichaelHalbert1952]

Thank you!

[@hansoloo]

OMG!!!THIS IS AMAZING !

[@JamesGowan]

Wow! Super awesome!

[@robeccs]

Wow ...sir you got skills and lots of patience. Simply amazing!🍻✌🏽

[@TheGrreatDane]

Great work!!!

[@NikolaUmbrella]

OMG! Well done!!!

amazing work!

[@messenjah71]

Unbelievably good! Wow!

[@elaineflo01]

beautiful work!

[@riskzerobeatz]

Masterpiece!

[@laureletiec586]

Magnificent !! You re a great artist !

[@TheMarkEH]

Simply magnificent!

Amazing master study!

[@lciav]

What the actual hell... this is madness. Beautiful

[@Meatwad.Baggins]

Wow! What an undertaking. And what a great result. Well done!

[@blueslin3916]

this is insane i really love it!!!!

[@user-yl2qv3uc3d]

This is a great concept. Woodcut is beautiful.

[@marblesthecat3861]

Wow, that woodcut is mind-blowing!!!! I subscribed to your channel. You have amazing technical skills

[@OIP_1]

this is absolutely stunning and you are far too humble!

[@NousSpeak]

this is amazing!

[@jferreiracastro]

Amazing masterpiece. Congratulations and thanks for share.

[@Redhackle]

You are a brave and patient person.

[@starwarscollector2573]

Absolutly amazing

[@Motomamiiiiiiiiiiiiiii]

This is incredible

[@danbien]

Dear God! This is outstanding!!!

[@arpitachandra3092]

Great detailing.... super

[@onionstuff]

The man, the legend.

[@lordyordan6793]

You sir are truly a master. There are not many people knowing the art of engraving. congratulation on your work from Germany !

[@ThePalacios123]

high skill and high quality art I must say

[@OG-bp6lf]

You have great knowledge and skills, thanks for this video! I have a project going, and your video made my light bulb go off! Much appreciated!

[@DannyPoet]

Woooow thats quality work.. A Lot of work! ..

[@denisestover2416]

From the beginning we artist's have learned from one another. Whether it's making master copies of an artist's work because that master artist is the teacher or learning our craft the way artist's before us did and those before them and so on and on..... There is not one artist alive today who can say with absolute truth that they learned everything all on their own! Your piece is beautiful and you did a great job! You have a God-given talent and you need to follow it! More Durer for practice! I hope you'll continue to post your work!

[@sealburger]

Such an artist

[@HorribleGamingFun]

omg that is beautiful....

[@Mealybug4]

AMAZING

[@user-mv8gm6rj8y]

Очень здорово, спасибо за видео. Великолепно, бальзам для глаз🙂👍

[@ulasszmaz1622]

Soo amazing

[@susantunbridge4612]

That's quite a challenge, and an excellent job! Dürer's print was a copper engraving, and quite small, only 9x11 or so, therefore required even more control than a woodcut. You can see where Dürer made an adjustment to the angle of the horse's hind cannon-bone, and hoof. Obviously he thought it was worth making the correction, which couldn't be erased, rather than to have the horse's hind legs look out of sync. Knight, Death and the Devil has been re-interpreted many times. There is even a sculpture.

[@alvnmstqm]

Keep making videos sir, am always learn inking with watching your videos

[@yopibram]

The drawing it self is Amazing. And your patience is... i am speechless. And much respect to all great printing shop there. Working with all respect and attention to the details to create greatest prints.

[@MichaelHalbert1952]

Thank you.

[@ericwilsonfineart]

Fabulous!

[@KahelGaming]

The Perseverance OMG😮🔥

[@stevenfellowes121]

wow, just wow.

[@gigproductions887]

great work!

[@felipesantos2]

Brilliant!

[@suchendnachwahrheit9143]

Stunningly gorgeous!

[@MichaelHalbert1952]

Thank you! Much appreciated.

[@Wikingo]

Dear Michael, wonderful artwork! Your constancy is admirable! At the time of the Academy of Fine Arts in Ravenna Italy, between 1999 and 2001 I followed the Painting class but we also had Engraving. I made copies of my love: Durer, to train, on "Puntasecca" techinique (direct copper engraving) and also the subject chosen by you "knight death and the devil". but I concentrated on the central subjects (avoiding the part under the crotch). It seemed to me long already in Puntasecca...Your work in woodcut and your constancy are truly admirable! Very good. Bravissimo!

[@adeadperson125]

Oh My Goodness... YOU ARE TRUE MASTER

[@Angel-hn1th]

Una locura. Increible

[@TheMemagNeman]

Amazing.

[@mauriciomolina6990]

Amazing, makes me think of Gustave Dore. Most people have no idea of the amount of work involved in a piece of art.

[@tonyxgreen]

Wwoooooooooowwww,que trabajo de locura, amazing

[@_flagg]

Muy bueno. Very good.

[@joelhebert4490]

Bravo sir.

[@zekenupp2965]

All your work is impressive, but this... This is just from outer space omg, it looks better than the original!

[@CarmenBelcher]

Wow you’re from my hometown!!!

[@taddelwhoever8827]

This really is great work! I just got into woodcutting and I am impressed how much detailed work it requires. Please don't put your work down by saying copying is bad. Copying is a great way to learn. It's the same way kids learn, they copy their parents until they want to find their own way. Thanks for sharing your art, it is very inspiring!

[@michalmarekart]

good work !

[@carlosdeleon1052]

I took a printmaking class once, and it totally kicked me in the ass. My main problem was not only my initial ignorance in what printmaking actually entails, it was also my insistence on doing all my artwork while the class seemed to fly along at breakneck speed. I was soon swamped and underwater, while my classmates who either had artwork prepped well in advance, or just straight up traced photos and/or other artist's work, had no such problems. I ended up dropping out. If/when I sign up for that class again, I'm gonna make sure I have plenty of artwork at the ready so I can focus on learning the various printmaking processes. Anyway, just my 2¢, I enjoy watching your videos and marveling at your artwork!

[@kghwls]

you always surprise me

[@tonycarosella]

Incredible. You and Durer would have been good pals, and Mick would have been in a lot more museum pieces

[@dropdedd]

It's not about what inspires you, it's about what you create with all the inspiration you get. Some people lack any inspiration and the ones with the most feel unoriginal. Humans are building blocks for each other if one person sets a standard then we go above that standard with practice 🙌

[@JorellCanuel]

This looks so scary to make but amazing!!!!!!!!!!1 ♥

[@carloz3506]

Que hermoso!!!

[@markcrimi]

Brilliant!!

[@MichaelHalbert1952]

Thank you.

[@markcrimi]

@@MichaelHalbert1952 You are really extraordinary

[@JonathanGarcia-kr2vz]

Gracias, siempre quise saber cómo se hacían los grabados. Me intrigaba mucho ver los grabados de Gustave Dore. Ahora tengo una idea del proceso, tal vez intente hacer uno, me diste valor.

[@unnatjadav199]

I thought this one was done on metal plate. My mind is blown knowing this is woodcut.

[@erosangelos9422]

Beautifil!

[@TodayTestfbsfbsfbs]

For a copper stitch, Durer worked several months for one piece, if i remember correctly it was not uncommon for him work 3 months for a piece.

[@esramirezart]

You have done a wonderful job in your masters study!! Very impressive to see you take one of Durer's most detailed engraving interpreted it as a woodcut; bravo!! Thanks so much for sharing! Out of curiosity are you selling the prints from your printing edition?

[@dougg1075]

Nice

[@OfficialUncleJimmy]

I study your work to try and achieve what you're trying to with Durer. I like your line work better than Durer. I always liked Gustave Doré's work better than all the others of the past. He was phenomenal, as are you. #Loveya

[@pottingsoil]

Wow.

[@USAlien234]

That was amazing ! I hope I can do this one day. Maybe you can do some sort of tutorial on this ? I know you mentioned some tools and equipment used, but it would be cool if you do a video with more detail on the subject. Specifically the tracing/transfer aspect and details on cutting reliefs. It always messes with my brain trying to cut the opposite of what I want shown. Maybe some helpful advice ? I know this video was not intended to be a tutorial. You did a fantastic job. I would love to replicate some of my favorite pieces. Hope your staying safe out there ✌ ✝ ❤

[@chqara]

COOL

[@natew5544]

nice

[@reddnacpil4420]

insane

[@doina726]

The result is astonishing! May I ask you what type of wood were you using?

[@pastuh]

"First time".. Ending is epic.. "Looks good" LOL

[@marcelorezende1572]

love you