Carving Stamps

When I was in Junior High School I had a great art teacher. She introduced us to so many different art forms and artist. She was a wonderful influence to many of us. One of the things she taught us was linoleum printing. I still have the prints I made and the the tools I used back then.

Today I can make my own stamp creations without using linoleum. Here's an example of how easy it is to create your own stamp. I quickly drew a flower in a vase with my pencil directly onto the eraser. Keeping the image simple is best. Later when you start craving you can add in the details. Remember that your image will stamp opposite of what you draw. So words need to be drawn backwards. One of the easiest things to use are  those cheap white erasers called Magic rub. I've been having a blast creating small works of art. A really good instructional book on the subject is "Rubber Stamp Carving" by Luann Udell.

Now all you need to do is gather up your Speedball tools and start carving. Always remember that what you don't crave out is what will print on the paper. Use the smallest cutting blade first.  Make outline cuts all  around the image. Then use the larger blades to cut out what you don't want to print on the paper. Once you have removed the rubber, ink the image and try it out on a scrap piece of paper. You can easily see what else you may want to remove when the rubber is inked.

Here are two examples.

The smaller one I used markers to only ink up the areas that I wanted to show. The larger example I inked the entire eraser, which gives it a wood cut feel.

I really enjoy working on these small art projects.

Larger sheets of rubber can be purchased at Art supply stores or on line. I ordered my tools from Dick Blick. I actually found larger sheets of rubber at Michael's! Can't wait to try them out.

Here are more examples of rubber eraser cravings I made.    

Comments

[Anna]

Wonderful idea -- LOVE that flower card you made! Just beautiful!

[Nicole]

Wow! That is a fabulous idea...and your card looks great! I love it. :)

[Tracy]

Thanks so much for sharing. I had no idea you could do this. Your image is fabulous!

[Sarah Vrolyk]

Amazing idea ... love the card as well! :)

[Ellen]

HOW COOL IS THAT!!!! You did an amazing job - I love it!!!

[kalyber]

I love your designs. So talented.