ABOUT OUR WOODCUTS + HOW WE MAKE THEM.

FROM START TO FINISH, every aspect of the creation of our woodcut prints is done 100% BY HAND. We draw our original images directly onto blocks of plywood and carve the drawings out in low relief using hand tools.

After the carved block is rolled with ink, archival paper is placed on top. The paper and block are sent through the press. The heavy, even pressure prints the ink from the block onto the paper.

Generally, there is a block for every color in our woodcuts. Blocks are printed individually, layering impressions to create the finished image.

To view or purchase available woodcut prints, visit our our ONLINE SHOP!

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We are PAUL RODEN + VALERIE LUETH, a husband & wife artist team working together to create original woodcut prints & illustrations. Tugboat Printshop is the name of our collaborative projects in printmaking.

Our intricate block drawings start as pencil sketches that are later drawn over in pen. Hand-held woodcarving chisels and knives are used to carve the images out in relief. Pictured is the "FOREST" woodcut ~ above as a drawing, below almost carved. This print is now finished and can be VIEWED & PURCHASED HERE.

Much care is taken in the wood carving to maintain the original drawing. A detail of the "GALAXY MAP" block below shows the tiny recesses that are carefully carved out to create the printable block.

DRAW, DRAW, DRAW, CARVE, CARVE, CARVE! Every step in the making of a print requires time, patience, and skill.
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We create multiple blocks for many of our woodcuts to allow for a wide range of printed color. (BELOW) Blocks for the "BIG, BAD WOLF" print (2 total blocks, 4 printed colors), now available in our PRINTSHOP/STORE.

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The "BONFIRE" image is made from 5 wood blocks (SEE BELOW). After carving the key block, we transferred the image to additional woodblocks. We plan, draw & carve each color block accordingly. The finished blocks layer printed color to create a wide range of hues in the print. We particularly love how each printed color has its own streak of color in the "BONFIRE" sky!



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((ABOVE) All 4 color blocks for the "BONFIRE" woodcut CARVED...(BELOW) All 4 color blocks PRINTED...

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AND...the first proof with all of the printed color! You can READ MORE & PURCHASE "BONFIRE" in our PRINT SHOP!



WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE? Visit the AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL, GARDEN, FARM BARGE, MAMA BEAR, or BONFIRE in our ONLINE PRINTSHOP to see a detailed start-to-finish making of these prints!

TUGBOAT PRINTSHOP FLICKR PHOTOSET has a five year photo history of our printmaking projects, too!

© 2006-2012 Tugboat Printshop | All visual media © Tugboat Printshop. All Rights Reserved. | PRIVACY POLICY