As you begin working with wood and working with wood cut print making, it's, I think that probably the most important thing is to keep from becoming frustrated. It is a process; it's a process that takes time to master. And that's part of its beauty, because as you're learning about the process, you learn so many things about yourself and what you can do. It's also important to remember to use the mistakes, and use the mistakes in printing, use the mistakes in carving, and use those to create a really interesting pallet of prints that may not be what you initially intended but could take you on to new ideas, and give you marks and images that you wouldn't have thought of on your own. But particularly when you start with carving, getting to carve your block of wood is going to take time to master. Do not get frustrated if your carving tool slip, do not get frustrated if you cut yourself, because it'll probably happen, and then it's a good way of teaching you to keep your hands out of the way of your carving tool. But the material has a life of its own, the wood will live in your print, and it will live in your process. So, giving the wood its respect, and using it as a collaborative force for creating your print, will really help facilitate your learning and mastering wood cut print making. If you try to make the wood a piece of paper, it will resist you, it is its own entity, and it is a beautiful entity, and it's part of making, makes some really interesting images, but it is different from a pencil and a piece of paper. So take some time to get use to, spend that time getting to know it, and I guarantee you that it will reward you.
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