Wood engraving is a variation on woodcut. The main difference is that in wood engraving the wood is cut across the grain rather than plankwise along the grain. For the artist it means that he can work freely with his tools in any direction. Furthermore, because the wood is harder when cut this way, he can use the more intricate tools of the engraver and is not merely reliant on the knife and the gouge. On most wood engravings, therefore, the image is defined by fine white lines against a black or coloured background.

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