Educator

To my future art students,

As an artist, one of my favorite ARTifact tools to use is a carving tool. It’s incredibly versatile and can be used to create many different types of art. While this tool has evolved over time, it is still widely used today and remains highly functional. Modern carving tools for block printing usually have a handle, and the top allows you to change tips or nibs to achieve different results. Some nibs are small, some are large. Some are flat, while others are curved. Nibs come in various sizes and are numbered accordingly. Using a larger nib removes more material, while a smaller nib allows for more detailed carving. The first time I used one of these tools was in high school when I created a repeating pattern block print. I also practiced block printing at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. I watched several tutorial videos and experimented on my own. At the time, I only had three nibs, which made it difficult to achieve the look I wanted. Through trial and error, I eventually created something that I was proud of. After that, I mostly worked on smaller block prints until I went to college. There, I had a professor who specialized in block printing. She mentored me and taught me about different techniques and styles. During this time, I discovered new nibs and learned more advanced techniques, including reduction printing and deeper carving methods. Using a carving tool had a learning curve, especially with the new nibs, and it took a lot of practice to get comfortable. Although it was challenging, I really enjoyed the process. Getting back into printing and carving was a great experience. I eventually created an entire zodiac series of block prints, carving twelve zodiac-themed blocks over the course of eight months. It was one of the largest projects I’ve ever done. I was proud of how the blocks turned out and impressed with how much my carving had improved. I even printed the designs onto clothing and bags, which was very experimental and something I truly enjoyed. I love block printing for the high contrast it creates. As I gained more experience and used the carving tool regularly, I became faster and more confident. What used to take me a month to carve in the beginning could later be done in just two or three days. My favorite method is to start with the larger nibs to remove bigger areas and then switch to smaller nibs for the fine details. Using a carving tool to create block prints is a very hands-on and traditional way of making art. It really helps me feel connected to the physical side of the creative process. It feels different from painting—in a good way. When I carve, I feel like I’m practicing a traditional form of art, and it’s incredibly therapeutic for me. The repetitive motions are soothing. Once the block is complete and ready to print, I feel a strong sense of accomplishment. I also get excited to see how the print turns out. If I’m not satisfied with the result, I’ll often go back and make slight edits by carving more into the block. I hope you all enjoy creating art in this physical and rewarding way. I encourage you to experiment with different block printing techniques and see what inspires you!