Block Printing for Illustration
A course by SowiesoWiesIllustrator
A course by SowiesoWies, Illustrator
Carve patterns, shapes, and designs into blocks to create unique stamps for printing
Illustrations have the power to bring smiles to people’s faces and change their day in an instant. Wies van der Velde, the illustrator and artist behind SowiesoWies, specializes in creating playful artwork using the block printing technique. She sells her work on Esty and shares it with over 150K followers on Instagram.
In this course, she teaches you how to work with the block printing technique to create your own illustrations. Carve patterns, shapes, and designs into a block and print them onto paper to make unique, multi-layered images. Get your tools ready and start stamping your own story.
What will you learn in this online course?
11 lessons & 10 downloads
Materials
2 minutes, 54 seconds
Handling the Tools
5 minutes, 34 seconds
Working with Ink Pads
4 minutes, 29 seconds
Inspiration and First Sketch
10 minutes, 21 seconds
Carving and Printing the Main Character
15 minutes, 19 seconds
Rest of the Characters
9 minutes, 41 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know the artist and illustrator behind SowiesoWies, Wies van der Velde. She talks through the journey that led to her becoming a full-time creative, along with the influences that inspire her, from fellow artists to her travels.
Dive into the tools needed for this course, including graphite pencils, carving tools, and a linoleum block. Then learn how to handle them for a professional end result. Explore different inks, and see which ones work best for each type of project.
Time to get started on your illustration! Start by finding inspiration and turning it into a concept. Create the first sketch based on your idea, experimenting with different compositions. Discover what to look out for when transforming your sketch into a stamp, then learn how to divide your image into layers. Transfer the sketch of your protagonist onto your block, then carve out the details to create your stamp ready for printing. Repeat the process for the secondary elements of your image, before adding the final details to your printed illustration like gradients and shadow.
Learn how to store and clean your tools to prevent aging and damage. Then, to finish the course, Wies talks through other ways to use your prints, from creating your own wrapping paper to designing festive card collections, as well as sharing your work on social media.
What is this course's project?
Craft a playful illustration of a character using your own handmade printing blocks.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in creating unique illustrations using stamps.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is required.
You will need carving tools, stamping materials such as a linoleum block, and ink pads, as well as other materials specified by the teacher in the course.
Reviews
- 3 months ago
Very good and inspiring course with a lot of good ideas
- 5 months ago
Engaging course for simple print making
- 11 months ago
Simple, conciso, entretenido pero por sobre todo util! Muy lindo!
- 1 year ago
I loved this course from beginning to the end
- 1 year ago
great class
After graduating, she spent time finding her style and eventually began selling her work online. Since then, Wies has turned her artistic passion into a career and now works full-time from her own studio. She aims to bring joy to the world through her artwork, which she shares with over 150K followers on Instagram.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Getting Ready: Tools, Ink and Paper
- Materials
- Handling the Tools
- Working with Ink Pads
- U3
Starting on Your Project: Getting Inspired, Sketching and Carving
- Inspiration and First Sketch
- Carving and Printing the Main Character
- Rest of the Characters
- Final Touches
- U4
Maintenance
- Storing and Cleaning Your Tools
- Other Uses for Your Print
- FP
Final project
- Block Printing for Illustration
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers all the basics of block printing illustration, including tool selection, carving techniques, and project planning.
You'll need basic carving tools, linoleum or rubber blocks, ink pads or printing ink, a brayer, paper or fabric to print on, and a cutting mat for safety. The course provides detailed recommendations for each item.
You'll learn block carving, multi-layer printing, transferring sketches, selecting inks, printing on various surfaces, organizing projects, digitizing prints, and integrating personal inspiration into your artwork.
The course teaches multiple sketch transfer methods, including tracing paper and direct drawing, to ensure your design is accurately transferred to the block before carving.
Yes, the course includes modules on creating children’s illustrations, developing characters, and planning compositions suitable for storybooks and prints.
For fabric printing, the course recommends using textile inks or fabric-specific ink pads to achieve vibrant, durable results that withstand washing.
You'll learn proper cleaning techniques, safe storage practices, and sharpening methods to prolong the life and performance of your block printing tools.