This description hardly does any of these methods justice. If you go to the books section of this web page, you will find sources for much more detailed explanations. A fast becoming favorite approach is to make an ink design with sumi ink and brushes right on the block without preparatory drawing. The result is very fresh and spontaneous, and the woodblock process preserves the freshness. The magic begins with cutting.
Designs take on their own personality once the wood and the knife meet.
Chisel marks become movement, lines become alive, flat areas are full of wood-life. You will want to print the cleared areas to capture the chisel wounds, redo the printing areas and the design will change a thousand times with a thousand cuts. To illustrate what I mean, compare a traditional Japanese print side to side with a German Expressionist print and you will understand. I oil the block with linseed oil before beginning to cut, let it dry, then cut my designs. I use a graphics brush to brush away cuttings and splinters.