This block print of my dog Smudge was created during our printing unit. The block print was made by using different sizes of chisels to file away areas of a linoleum block. After the image was cut into the block, ink was applied to the block and paper was pressed on. The ink did not enter the cut away parts of the block, leaving them white and the other parts black in the final product (on the paper). This medium can be difficult to work with in some ways; in order to create shading, one has to cut a series of fine lines right next to each other. It takes a while to perfect the technique and the process is time-consuming when working with detailed images.

I did have success with this project, however, because I discovered that I had an ink roller and pad for pressing the paper onto the block at home (I got to practice the printing itself, which is the hard part). My parents quite liked the block prints and we made lots of them to use as Christmas cards for friends and relatives.