Items you will need:
an eraser or piece of carving block
a craft knife/scalpel/X-acto knife with number 11 blade
HB pencil
tracing paper
fine graded sandpaper
(optional) lino blade with number 1 v-shaped blade
Choose a simple image to start off with - here we're going to be using a simple
square image.
Before doing anything, prepare your eraser or carving block by lightly sanding
it with the sandpaper, keeping an even surface. This will help to give your
eraser some tooth, so that it will print nicely. It will also remove any
writing or pattern that may already be on the eraser, which will help you a lot
when cutting out your pattern.
Next, we have to transfer your chosen image to the eraser. You can always use a
pencil to draw directly onto the eraser, but REMEMBER! whatever you draw
onto the eraser will print out in the opposite direction - so if you are
drawing letters and numerals onto the eraser, remember to draw them on
backwards. The easiest way to transfer an image onto your eraser is by using
tracing paper - that way you will be guaranteed that everything prints out the
way you wanted it too! Trace your chosen image onto the tracing paper. Place
the traced image face down onto the block, and transfer the image by rubbing
over the back of the tracing paper with a pencil.
Now you can begin to carve! Start with the most detailed part of the image
first, so that if you make a mistake, you won't feel as though you've wasted
too much time and energy on the carving.
You want to cut away the parts of the image that you DON'T want to
print. This usually means cutting away all the white areas of your eraser, and
leaving the black traced lines as they are. When cutting out the image, always
make sure that you don't undercut the raised parts of the image that you want
to print, or you will find that over time your carvings will deteriorate and
some raised parts may even break away. Always make sure that the raised part of
the image has a solid base to it.
Always make small and shallow cuts when you are carving - there is no need to go
overboard and dig away at the rubber. Small and shallow cuts are easy to carve,
and the finished product will print just as well as deep cuts.
As you go along, make test prints with an old, almost dried-out ink pad. These
test prints will help you to see how your carving is coming along, and using an
old pad means that the ink won't cover up your pencil lines.
A finished carving will look something like this:
When you have finished your carving and have printed with it, clean the carving
with plain water. Using solvents or household products to clean the carving
material may result in the material reacting with the solvents and may turn
your carving into a goopy mess over time.
Always store your carvings in a wooden or cardboard container - or if you have
to use a plastic container, make sure that the carving is placed onto a piece
of paper first. Some carving materials react with plastics, making them
unusable over time.
So that's the basics of eraser carving! Very simple and very enjoyable.
Now try the other classes to progress a bit further.
