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[Graeme]

Hi

Has anyone tried linocut printing, as I am going to give it a try at the weekend and I was just looking for a couple of pointers.

I'll definately start off small at first with only one colour just to see how it goes but I have a feeling I'll end up with inky fingers, a bucket full of ruined paper and grumpy disposition, but hey whats new there?

I've plumped for water based printing ink to start off as the acrylic was more expensive and I'm not sure if I'm going to like it, but I'll show you the results if I actually manage to make any prints but any advice in the meantime would be appreciated.

[Deco]

Hi Graemek,

I made some linocut printings when I was at Art school, but I haven't made
others since then. Linocut printing is difficult because you must make a mirror-image
of your idea as the print will be reversed.
I found this information about it: hope it will be useful for you.


"Linocut is a raised printing technique, i.e. the cut out areas do not print.

The motif is copied with a pencil or a felt tip onto the lino plate or traced with
the help of carbon paper. When doing this please note that the finished print will
be reversed. This is, in fact, unimportant for many motifs, but it will have to be
taken into consideration for numbers and letters.

First, cut even grooves round those areas you would like to remove.
Next, cut from the grooves into the middle - by doing this you avoid cutting into
the pattern by mistake. When working always cut away from you, except when
using the contour knife - never put your free hand in front of the blade!

When you have finished cutting, wash the finished printing base thoroughly
with warm, soapy water or alcohol-based spirit. Then allow to dry. Roll out the Aqua-Lino colour with a Lino roller onto a smooth area (eg. A glass plate) until
a thin, even layer is achieved and transfer it on to the printing base with the
help of the roller. Put a sheet of absorbent paper (special paper for linoprinting
is available) on to the printing base and press down evenly with a second,
clean lino roller. Remove the paper carefully and allow the design to dry.'

Hope it will be useful for you
I look forward to seeing your attempts in linocut printing!

[Graeme]

Thanks for the advice Deco. Started cutting today, with a picture of a badger being the subject. The cutting of the lino is not as hard as I thought, but I did make a couple of minor mistakes and cut parts I shouldn't have. It really is quite soft, isn't it? It is a first attempt and I don't really have the right tools so I'm not overly annoyed. Hopefully finish the cutting tomorrow and then on to the printing. If this works I'll be one happy guy If it doesn't, well thats fine too. It's a learning process.
I'll keep you posted

[Deco]

What color of printing ink are you having the intention of using - the standard black
or something different?

[Graeme]

Plain old black. I only bought the one colour just to try printing as I've wanted to try it for a while now so I didn't want to spend too much money in case it didn't work out.

I tried my first ever print 10 minutes ago and it looks ok but not as sharp as I would like.

As soon as its dried a little I'll scan it in to let you see my efforts
I think its not bad for a first try but then again I'm biased.

[Graeme]

Well here it is. A little bit blotchy but not too bad at all. I'm going to try again tomorrow using a little less ink and more downwards pressure to see if that will make the image crisper, but you learn from your mistakes.
I definately think the cutting of the lino is easier than the printing. I ended up with more ink on my fingers than on the print itself

Size is about 60mm x 80.

Attached Files

•  badge.jpg   162.71K   104 downloads

[Brian]

For a 1st attempt...brill

[Neo_Art]

Actually it doesn't look like a first attempt!
Good work!

[Alex]

This is good, what better way to spendf a day than getting all mucky.

[Deco]

Looks very good and the size is impressive for the linocut printing.
Is that a badger? Wonderful animal for this method , it's coloration is very
suitable for contrast images.
Maybe the blotches are because of the lino roller it has to be absolutely equal
or you've put too much ink.

[Graeme]

You are correct Deco...too much ink. As I said, the cutting is easier than the printing but i like the result so i may buy a brayer this weekend to apply the ink.

[Deco]

Look forward to seeing next updates

[Graeme]

Back again with another attempt. This one is definately better due to better ink application, different paper and me standing on top of the paper as a weight when printing as i dont have a press but it worked.
I'm beginning to like this lino printing.

Attached Files

•  badge.gif   228.29K   88 downloads

[Alex]

I can see the badger now....sorry, I could see the leafs first attempt, buthis is much better.

[Deco]

This one is really better.
I see you used a different color paper, but in my opinion on the white
paper will be still better - more contrast which is better for linocut printing.