Block printing assignment that focuses on color theory

1. BLOCKPRINTING

2. Step 1: Obtain reference/inspiration material
Step 2: Create three sketches (same size as the final
print) with different ideas for your composition.
Remember that your sketch will be mirror-image when
printed.
Step 3: Pick your favorite composition from your three
sketches.
Step 4: Draw your composition on your linoleum block.
Step 5: Carve your composition into your linoleum
block.
Step 6: Ink the linoleum block and create a test print. If
there are flaws, correct them and print again until you
get your print the way you like it.

3. How do I make the best composition?
Consider how you use your space
Consider rule of thirds
Consider texture, pattern, and decorative accents
Create a balance between dark and light (carved and uncarved places)
Consider a contrast between solid areas and thin lines/details
Consider straying from realism

7. But what about color?

9. You will create the following 13 prints:
• A series of 3 black and white prints
• A primary colors print
• A secondary colors print
• A print that uses black and white plus one tertiary
color
• A print with cool colors
• A print with warm colors
• A print with analogous colors
• A print that uses black and white plus one neutral
• A print that uses complimentary colors
• A print that uses three values of one color (dark,
medium, and light)
• A print with a color scheme of your choice

13. • You can print a MAXIMUM of TWO
colors at a time (the color of the
paper, and the color of the ink).
• Any additional colors will be hand-
colored after the print has dried.
• You are welcome to print on white
paper only and then add all
additional colors by hand.
• The combinations are endless!!!
• Consider moving around the room
to find colors in use so you can
mooch off of each other (aka: be
efficient).

17. RULE
OF
THIRDS!

27. HOW TO LABEL
YOUR PRINTS LIKE
A PRO
Print # Title Signature and year

28. HOW TO LABEL
YOUR PRINTS LIKE
A PRO
1/13 “Penguin Love” Smith ‘15

29. Color is light reflected off of
objects. Color has three main
characteristics:
• hue (the name of the
color, such as red, green,
blue, etc.)
• value (how light or dark it
is)
• intensity (how bright or
dull it is)

30. This is RED!
(hue)

31. This is all green!
(all VALUES of green)

32. INTENSITY!!!
(bright vs. dull)

33. • White is pure light. Black is the absence of light.
• Primary colors are the only true colors (red, blue, and
yellow). All other colors are mixes of primary colors.

34. • Secondary colors are two primary colors mixed together
Orange, Green, and Violet

35. • Tertiary colors, are made by mixing a primary and
secondary color together.
*Notice the
primary color is
always named
first (red-
orange, not
orange-red)

36. • Complementary colors
are located directly
across from each other
on the color wheel.
•They contrast because
they share no common
colors
•When they are mixed
together, they neutralize
each other to make
brown or gray.

37. Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel

38. Which color scheme is ANALOGOUS and which is COMPLIMENTARY?

39. ANALOGOUS COMPLIMENTARY