Printmaking is very much a part of Ian Murphy’s creative studio practice and he relishes the challenge of extending his sketchbook ideas with a technical process to generate multiple images.
In this tutorial he talks about his love of the woodcut process and the robust, tactile qualities used, in particular, by the Expressionists, and also the symbolic references used by Gauguin.
Ian Murphy introduces a modern and alternate approach to this historical process; using his small sketchbook images from China to inspire three very bold and distinctive drawings. The major difference lies in the actual process of cutting the woodblock. The traditional carving chisels, now very much frowned upon in schools because of strict H&S policies, are replaced by a laser cutter.
The important artistic qualities however, are not lost; Ian guides you through the drawing process to establish a strong “woodcut style”.
We feel that this tutorial will open up a new creative process in schools and particularly inspire those students who love the technical approach to projects.

Go to tutorial