Woodblock Reduction Printing - stage 1

I had printmaking class today and we started doing woodblock colour reduction prints. Here's a look at the first stage of my woodblock:

I chose an image to carve and carved out all the areas that would be white, or the colour of the paper I am printing on. Here are four prints from this first block, all one colour prints.


The tools for making a woodblock print are decidely low-tech. See here a wooden spoon and my handheld wood-handled carving set.


Next week I get to carve away areas that will remain the colour I have printed, and the rest of the block will be inked up and I'll print right on top of these prints in a second colour, and a third and a fourth etc until the image feels and looks right.