What is the difference between a woodcut and intaglio?

a) Woodcut is a relief printing technique, while intaglio is an incised printing technique.
b) Woodcut is an intaglio printing technique, while intaglio is a relief printing technique.
c) Both woodcut and intaglio are relief printing techniques.
d) Both woodcut and intaglio are intaglio printing techniques.

A woodcut is a relief printing technique where the inked image comes from the raised surfaces on the matrix, while intaglio is an incised printing technique where the image is transferred from grooves cut into the matrix.

Explanation:

The correct answer to the student's question is a) Woodcut is a relief printing technique, while intaglio is an incised printing technique. In relief printing, like woodcut, the areas of the matrix (the block of wood, for example) that are to show the printed image are left on the original surface, with the non-image areas cut away.

The raised (relief) areas are inked and then paper is pressed onto it to transfer the image. In contrast, intaglio printing involves incising an image into a matrix such as a metal plate, filling the incised lines with ink, wiping the surface clean, and then using a press to transfer the ink from the incised lines to the paper.