All levels
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38 min 34 sec
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00:45
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01:14
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06:48
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18:34
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05:13
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06:00
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Turn a photograph of someone you admire into a vibrant, multi-colored work of art. In this inspiring class, printmaker and artist Sarah Matthews shows you how to create a multi-block relief portrait, using a photo as the foundation for your design. You'll learn how to transfer your image onto a carving block, carve fine details, and then cut the block into multiple sections to print in a variety of colors—like assembling a puzzle with depth and dimension. Sarah features American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou in her portrait, offering a meaningful example of how you can celebrate someone who inspires you.
Learn how to:
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Carving material, Sarah is using a 7" x 9" Blick Readycut block
- Carving tools, U-gouge and V-gouge in various sizes
- 8" x 10" Bristol paper
- Versafine Clair stamping ink, Sarah is using CYMK (cyan, yellow, magenta, black)
- Cutting mat
- Utility knife or X-Acto knife
- Pencil, soft lead is best
- Sharpie
- Ruler
- Masking tape
- Wipes or rags to clean stamp between ink colors
- Optional: Baren or bone folder for burnishing
Downloads:
- Transfer an image with only a pencil
- Carve out fine facial details
- Turn a single block into a multi-block stamp
- Print with mulitple colors
Member Gallery
Browse members' projects from this class and share your own work! Learn how to take great photos here.
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Transcript
Class PDF
Carve and Print a Multi-Block Relief Portrait Reviews
35 users recommended this class to a friend
Karen Sharpe
What a wonderful class and teacher! This reminds me of silk screening back in the day.
November 13
Janie Pinterits
Ms. Matthews breaks the process down easily while sharing with us the challenges she experiences. I feel inspired about this way to commemorate an icon and how to maybe do a multi-block carving of another image type. Thanks for this outstanding class!
November 11, 2025
