Unit 7 · Project 3
Portrait Block (Carved)
Transfer your high-contrast portrait to a block and carve it with attention to social theme.
Using your approved concept and selected portrait photo, you'll prepare the image for carving (high contrast conversion, threshold adjustment, size scaling) and transfer it to your block. The carving should be guided by both the image and the concept — where you choose to simplify, where you choose to add detail, what you choose to emphasize — all of these decisions should serve the social theme. This is your most ambitious carving project yet.
Objectives
- 1Convert selected portrait to high-contrast black and white using Threshold in Photoshop
- 2Scale and transfer the image to your block
- 3Carve the block with attention to both accuracy and conceptual intent
- 4Take test prints during carving to monitor progress
Materials
- Linoleum block (larger format — provided)
- Carving tools
- Photoshop for Threshold conversion
- Carbon paper for transfer
- Test print materials
Tips
- Use Photoshop's Threshold adjustment to find the right black/white cutoff for your portrait
- Simplify — you can't carve every detail, so choose what matters most
- The eyes are usually the most important element in a portrait — prioritize them
- Carve slowly in the face area — mistakes here are the most visible