Inception of a Block Print Idea

Don gave me two novels by Frans Masereel for Christmas (one was entitled Passionate Journey and the other God's Man).  The novels had no text - the story was told by the author using wood cut block prints.  The former novel was written (or rather carved in 1919).  Don thought that the novels would provide a springboard of ideas for me and future block prints.  What I found fascinating was the depiction of people in various types of activities; and the rough lines of the cuts (since the prints were done initially in wood).  I have included some of the block prints to give an idea of what was printed.  Using the ideas generated by the novels - I decided to look for pictures that I felt may translate into a block print using the technique Masereel used in his blocks.   I found a subject for my block print – drew it first as a pencil line drawing and then converted it into a drawing that I will transpose onto a block for cutting.

The first few pictures are from Masereel’s novel, Passionate Journey – this is followed by my line drawing of my picture intended for the block cut and then the transcription of my line drawing for the block