Ex Libris Woodcut to the Reductive Woodcut
Printmaking is an artistic technique that involves drawing or carving an image onto a rigid surface, known as a matrix, and then transferring that image onto another surface, usually paper, through a printing process. It is one of the oldest forms of image reproduction.
Main characteristics of printmaking:
Matrix: can be made of metal (such as copper or zinc), wood, linoleum, stone, or even synthetic materials.
Inking: ink is applied to the worked matrix.
Printing: the image is transferred to paper by pressure, using a press or manually.
Multiplicity: allows for multiple copies of the same design, called prints or impressions.
Characteristics of engraved ex libris:
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Small format: Usually measures between 5 × 5 cm and 10 × 10 cm, as it needs to fit inside a book.
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Custom design: Typically includes the owner’s name and symbolic elements that represent them (coats of arms, animals, emblems, mythological or literary scenes).
