My current long term wood engraving, working on a Jim Reynolds made end-grain type-high Sugar Maple block.
The block first was toned with a wash of diluted blue ink. I then used a 005 Pigma Micron marker to ink a detailed drawing.
Engraving begins, what is cut away with the burin appears almost white to see my progress. the toned block lets me view my drawing as well as what I engrave.
Much farther along, the braided husks and the stone metate texture engraved. I will re-enter many of the lines to lighten parts of the image. Printed, many of these lines and textures will appear much darker in tone. Here too shows the beginning of engraving the corn kernels.
It is a creative challenge to portray the different varieties of Oaxaca corn.
A closer look. I have plenty of more engraving to do.