Woodcut

Printing technique in which the printing
surface has been carved from a block of wood. The
traditional wood block is seasoned hardwood such
as apple, beech, or sycamore. A modern trend,
however, is to use more inexpensive and easily
attainable soft woods such as pine. Woodcut is one
of the oldest forms of printing. It was first used by
the Chinese in the 12''' century and later in Europe
toward the end of the 14th century.

An image created by carving a negative image into a block of wood. The surface is inked with a brayer and printing done with a relief or intaglio