Color Woodcut - Reduction Block

Adult Course | Registration opens 4/1/2025 12:00 AM MST

200 Grant St Denver, CO 80203 United States
203 Printroom
All
5/1/2025-5/22/2025
5:30 PM-8:30 PM MST on Th
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$222.00
$188.70
$24.00

Color Woodcut - Reduction Block

Adult Course | Registration opens 4/1/2025 12:00 AM MST

Color Woodcut printmaking by means of Reduction Block provides some outstanding advantages, as well as disadvantages! The handsome appearance of tight registration of the color shapes, and the minimum of materials are attractive advantages. The fact that the block “self destructs,” so that no reprints can be made, is considered by some printmakers, as a disadvantage. It means that the quantity of prints needs to be decided up front, and all prints of the edition need to be printed with the first color, so that all prints will eventually receive all colors.

The traditional process normally involves printing the lightest color first (highlights first), and the design progresses as some of the block is cut away, and the second lightest color is printed onto each print. The total number of colors could be from two to several. Registration is of the utmost importance, as any variation would cause a blurred look to the print.

At the completion of this course, the student demonstrates their knowledge of reduction block woodcut printmaking by: transferring a key drawing to the woodblock using tracing paper, carbon paper, and correct pencils Safely cutting the basic design with an exacto-knife, and gouging out the highlights Mixing the ink for the lightest color, ink the block, register the block and paper, adhere the block to the paper, and print it, using a baren or other rubbing tool Draw on the block to map out the shape of the next color/tone Cut/gouge out the shapes to reveal the next color/tone, register the block and print it If another color/tone is to be printed, repeat the above steps, until all colors are printed.

  • Drawing experience required
  • You will need a sketch to make the woodcut print from
Keyes, Michael
Michael Keyes

Michael J. Keyes Aurora, CO 720-579-8760. Michael is a painter & woodcut printmaker, & received his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree from Wright State University in Dayton, OH, & a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree from Ohio State University in Columbus. His areas of specialty are drawing, painting, and printmaking. He uses pencil drawing as the “entry activity” and basis for painting and printmaking. He enjoys the tactile sensation of carving blocks of wood, & developing the dramatic starkness of imagery in the prints made from them. The woodcut prints range from-black-and-white, colored multi-block, or hand-colored prints. The subject matter of the prints includes winter landscapes, rural and urban scenes & events, & domestic still life scenes. He is a member of Park Hill Art Club, Aurora Artists Guild, Art Students League of Denver, & Red Delicious Press. His recent exhibitions include one-person shows at Red Delicious Press, Kaladi Coffee DU campus, Aurora Cultural Arts District (ACAD) Gallery, & University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Health Sciences Library Gallery. Group Shows include “Traditional Printmaking,” at Core New Art Space, “Gateway to the Rockies” Exhibition at the Aurora History Museum, Members’ Exhibition at the Aurora Cultural Arts District Gallery, “Press Play,” at Lincoln Center for the Arts in Fort Collins, “Pressing Matters,” & “Saving Face” at Art Students League of Denver, Exhibition “528.0”, an exhibition of prints at the Arvada Center for the Arts, in conjunction with “MoPrint” (Month of Printmaking 2020). He won Award of Merit  (shared first place) at the Escalante Canyons Arts Festival, 'Best of Show'" at 'National Arts Program, Front Range Show', & ‘Best of Show’ at the Project Worthmore exhibition, “Our Neighbors, Our Selves".