Ah, deciding what to stamp. Here’s where the pencil comes in handy. Doodle around on a piece of paper first just to get a little something down, if you like. For the stamp itself, I always draw straight onto the rubber because I’ve found the less precious I can be about getting things precise and perfect, the better they seem to turn out—so I’m all for putting aside a pattern and seeing what comes to you. You can erase lines you don’t like (just be sure not to etch into the slab with your lead)—just have a go and start drawing. If you’re a newbie, the bigger and less intricate designs will be the easiest to carve. And don’t forget, if you’re using words, you have to write backwards. I have made that mistake many a time without realizing it until finishing my first print. D’oh! Photo 2 of 14 in Introducing Home Work by Jordan Kushins

Introducing Home Work

2 of 14

Ah, deciding what to stamp. Here’s where the pencil comes in handy. Doodle around on a piece of paper first just to get a little something down, if you like. For the stamp itself, I always draw straight onto the rubber because I’ve found the less precious I can be about getting things precise and perfect, the better they seem to turn out—so I’m all for putting aside a pattern and seeing what comes to you. You can erase lines you don’t like (just be sure not to etch into the slab with your lead)—just have a go and start drawing. If you’re a newbie, the bigger and less intricate designs will be the easiest to carve. And don’t forget, if you’re using words, you have to write backwards. I have made that mistake many a time without realizing it until finishing my first print. D’oh!