X is for Xylography
Xylography? What? What's that? "X" by itself is unusual enough. That's why X is for xylography.
Of course, everybody wants to know what xylography is! Xylography is the production of an beautiful piece of artwork and is done by engraving on wood. Xylography is an old name for 'wood cuts'. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Something like linoleum printing, potato prints, or even plasticine printing. Perhaps we'll have to explore those possibilities at some point too!
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| Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) |
The process is simple. Develop a raised-relief 'picture' using art and creativity of woodcarving. Spread some paint or pigment carefully on the wood block. Press the block firmly on suitable paper. Voila! A beautiful wood cut print. A Xylograph.
That is why X is for xylography. If you are an xylographer, you know how to carve beautiful pictures on wood blocks, and using paint and other media, make prints !
Even amateurs can participate in this beautiful, antique art form.
- Use woodcarving tools or a knife as simple as a penknife. You can even use a modern rotary tool like a Dremel(R) to make it easier to make an antique-style picture!
- Start with a soft wood like pine, butternut or cedar, it's easier to carve.
- Draw a simple picture on the block of wood.
- carve out a 'relief' of the picture.
- Spread some oil paint, acrylic paint or hobby paint on the block. You can use one colour for a monochrome print, or use several colours.
- Press the block firmly and carefully on a suitable piece of craft paper or canvas.
- The most interesting thing is, if you do make a very beautiful xylograph, you can print numerous "original copies" using the same block. If they turn out to be exceptional, make sure you number the prints and sign them!
Look around you. Check the attic and the old trunks Granny left you. See any old, old printed pictures that look a bit old-fashioned, strange, monochrome, maybe even primitive and unusual? How about looking around at yard sales?
Look twice. Some pieces may even be historical, valuable pieces of art--an Xylograph from the past!
What a great hobby! Isn't it cool? Xylography is a very old art form--one that may be returning.
No wonder old guys appreciate it!
Is that incoming I hear?
This is clever. The whole A to Z challenge is. I wish I'd known about it. I definitely like the idea to trigger some creative entries. On the other hand, for this one, i would have written X-Ray radiation. More of the same. More of the same.
ReplyDeleteQuerulous, welcome! I understand they hold this challenge every April, so it will come around again. It DOES make you work harder to be creative; particularly if you dedicate a 'theme' and try to follow it. I think a lot of people would choose X-Rays simply because there are only about 60 words or so that start with X--and most of them are highly specialized. And you are right, of course...'more of the same old, same old..' it would be! Thank you so much for commenting, have a wonderful day! I hope you join it next year! ~R
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Raymond. I have a writer friend who has published an old historical book. The publisher went out of business, and for a modest fee, sent her the book plates. She's about to throw them away, and I'm thinking, why not make something art-wise out of them. She has enough of them to make a writing desk out of.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think? I hate to see them in the landfill somewhere when they could be gracing someone's wall, or used to make collages...This creative process (I make collages but infrequently) really gets the stories going in my head.
Hi Sharon, welcome to Incoming bytes. I am astounded. She has the book plates for an old historical book? The book plates can be used for something creative, why hot make a writing desk of them? GREAT idea! It would be a shame to see them in the landfill, particularly when they will be, at some point, of historical significance. They can be used for individual hangings, focal pieces, place them under glass on coffee tables, you name it, the use of these pieces is only limited by your imagination. Collages are a great idea...and, if the book was any good and out of print--could be revived. Fascinating story, thank you for sharing it with us, Sharon! ":) ~R
DeleteThis was a great X-word. I've heard of wood carvings but never knew the proper term for it. I like sculpting, but I'm much better with sand at the beach than with wood. It's more forgiving, seeing as I'm not a great sculptor.
ReplyDeleteHi Rick, Welcome to Incoming Bytes! It is a great X-word. Surprise,I did not know specifically what the process of wood block print carving was called either!
DeleteAs for doing xylography as a hobby, I'm guessing that one never knows what is possible unless it is attempted. If you are a sculptor at all, you may find that you are GREAT at Xylography--after all, it is very low-relief sculpting so the 3D element of sculpting is almost eliminated. Perhaps try a simple design first, then, with practice, do fancier stuff-- and before you know it, you could be an excellent xylographer ":) Thank you for commenting! ~R
Very creative! This was a hard letter, but a great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting, CYW, X was a hard letter, and it actually turned out to have much better potential than I thought. The implications of some of the old 'unusual' art forms showing up is intriguing isn't it? Have a great day! ~R
DeleteI've never heard of the word "xylography" until today. Then I realized that I had a real live xylograph on my wall. It measures about 6" wide by 12" long. It was a souvenir picked up in Germany of the "Altes Haus" in Bacharach (a scenic town on the Rhine). The house dates from 1368, so it is truly old :) Thanks for enriching my vocabulary today :)
ReplyDeleteKatley, I hadn't really heard of the word 'xylography' either until I began poking around for the challenge.
DeleteI am DELIGHTED to hear that you have found a piece of artwork that reflects something of historical significance. Please do post a picture of it on your blog if possible at some time? I'm certainly glad you have enjoyed X is for Xylography. ":) ~R
Raymond, I'll upload that picture in the next few days and post it to my Flickr site. I'll send you the link. ~K
DeleteHere's the link to the Bacharach xylograph. It was carved into the wood with a fire stylus. Hope it works :)
Deletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/katley99/6975392850/in/photostream
Thanks, Katley! That is so cool! Beautiful! Thank you for sharing! ~R
DeleteThe things I learn on here are quite astonishing. Great job, Raymond.
ReplyDeletehi Glory, it is amazing what we find out when researching isn't it? I find the same thing when I read your blog--some of the stuff you share is so amazing! I'm glad you enjoyed this 'X'. Thank you for the kind encouragement too! ":) ~R
DeleteYou did it RK !!! I was wondering what your mind would come up with. Very good indeed, not only for the X entry but for the entire activation of creative juices you put forth. You know I often urge creativity at my site. It is such a crucial part of us we need to exercise daily!If we don't stay creative we begin to wither and grow old from lack of newness. Thanks for this fun. Onward we go....VK
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vk! Great subject isn't it? I believe that creativity is one of the most important aspects of humanity and a key to growth. It follows from the concept of the open mind and protracted thinking which is one of my common themes. Thank you so much for the encouraging comments! ~ R
DeleteVery cool, Raymond! Very old-world...
ReplyDeletePearl
Thank you Pearl! Thanks for visiting, I really enjoy your blog! I love old fashioned art and other stuff, and interestingly, this is an intriguing old art form that literally anyone can do. Remember carving potato prints as a kid? Who knows, in Minnesota there may be a masterpiece waiting to be discovered too- or waiting to be created. Note above that Katley has now found an old xylograph from Germany. Nothing could have made me happier. ":))
DeleteThis is a fun hobby and one have engaged in in years gone past. It is also one which is destined for my children's curricula.
ReplyDeleteI have some ideas from reading the comments:
Book plates: Make a wall of them in the office instead of wallpaper.
Rick: Easy project for beginners:
Take a 1 inch square of wood and carve out your last initial. Using an ink pad, stamp your initial onto stationery for instant personalization. Creative, original and cheap. What is not to like?
Red.
hi Red...Beautiful ideas! I am so glad to see this post generating creative ideas. Wonderful! "What is not to like?" is an understatement. For the kids, they can take impressions of things with Play Dough or plasticine, then use those to print patterns too! Thanks, Red! ~R
DeleteI love xylography, also wood-burning, and the encaustic mediums. I just love creative endeavors.
ReplyDeleteYes, Storm, there are certainly some beautiful works created using these methods. The possibilities are endless, that's what I like about them. Creativity knows no bounds with the open mind! Thank you for visiting! ":)~R
DeleteOf course that is what it means! *chuckles* However, knowing that (now) I can totally relate to such beautiful artwork.
ReplyDeleteComing over from A-Z.
~Naila Moon
http://yaknowstuff.blogspot.com/2012/04/x.html
Naila Moon, welcome to Incoming Bytes! Xylography can be so beautiful, can't it? I just love it! Thanks for visiting! I'll visit your blog too! ~R
DeleteI've learnt a word!
ReplyDeleteha, Siba, I learned it too, I did not know what that process was called, but it sure is fascinating! Thanks for visiting! ~R
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