PRINTMAKING: LINOCUTS/BLOCK PRINTING
As a class we will create a collaborative linoleum carving project that will be displayed in the art gallery.
The theme of this project is IDENTITY.
Your portion of the project is a linoleum block carving.
You will create at least five prints of your carving that will be assembled into an installation in the art gallery.
The theme of this project is IDENTITY.
Your portion of the project is a linoleum block carving.
You will create at least five prints of your carving that will be assembled into an installation in the art gallery.
COMPLETE ONE PAGE OF BRAINSTORMING IN YOUR SKETCHBOOK:
Words that describe what you look like
Words that describe your family
What are your interests
What are your goals
What is important to you
What do you value
All your different identities (son, daughter, student, friend, etc)
Your family traditions
Mottos to live by
Your favorite memory
Your favorite animals
Locations or specific places that are significant to you
Write a paragraph about yourself, and complete at least 10 sketches for your linoleum carving.
Words that describe what you look like
Words that describe your family
What are your interests
What are your goals
What is important to you
What do you value
All your different identities (son, daughter, student, friend, etc)
Your family traditions
Mottos to live by
Your favorite memory
Your favorite animals
Locations or specific places that are significant to you
Write a paragraph about yourself, and complete at least 10 sketches for your linoleum carving.
Linocut
Linocut is a printmaking technique, a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum is used for a relief surface.
The areas to show 'white' are cut away with a knife or chisel, leaving the characters or image to show in 'black' at the original surface level.
Linocut is a printmaking technique, a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum is used for a relief surface.
The areas to show 'white' are cut away with a knife or chisel, leaving the characters or image to show in 'black' at the original surface level.
MATERIALS
SAFETY GUIDELINES
Carving tools are EXTREMELY SHARP and can result in SERIOUS INJURY.
Always work with a wood stop in place.
Never carve toward your body or hands.
Work SLOWLY.
Be aware of your surroundings and use caution when walking with the carving tools - pointed end down.
Always work with a wood stop in place.
Never carve toward your body or hands.
Work SLOWLY.
Be aware of your surroundings and use caution when walking with the carving tools - pointed end down.
PROCESS STEPS
1. Design
Identify a theme or concept for your self portrait
Come up with at least 10 variations/options for your design
Print photos if necessary
Your design should have a balance of black & white and a FRAME
** Letters must be backwards – the image will flip when printed
2. Transfer
Use charcoal or pencil to transfer design
- On the back of your design paper, cover with soft charcoal or pencil
- Lay the paper on your linoleum block
- Draw over the lines and push firmly
Identify a theme or concept for your self portrait
Come up with at least 10 variations/options for your design
Print photos if necessary
Your design should have a balance of black & white and a FRAME
** Letters must be backwards – the image will flip when printed
2. Transfer
Use charcoal or pencil to transfer design
- On the back of your design paper, cover with soft charcoal or pencil
- Lay the paper on your linoleum block
- Draw over the lines and push firmly
3. Carve
Remember to carve the “white”
Avoid extremely thin lines
4. Print
Using printmaking ink and a brayer, apply ink to your block
Don’t over ink, there should not be ink in your carved mark
Run through press with the paper on top of the block
Watch the registration (alignment on paper)
5. Print variations
Options include:
- Print the "ghost" (print the block again without adding ink)
- Add other materials after printing (ink, paint, collage, thread, etc)
- Alter the background before printing (collage, paint, unusual surfaces, etc)
- Multi-color prints
Remember to carve the “white”
Avoid extremely thin lines
4. Print
Using printmaking ink and a brayer, apply ink to your block
Don’t over ink, there should not be ink in your carved mark
Run through press with the paper on top of the block
Watch the registration (alignment on paper)
5. Print variations
Options include:
- Print the "ghost" (print the block again without adding ink)
- Add other materials after printing (ink, paint, collage, thread, etc)
- Alter the background before printing (collage, paint, unusual surfaces, etc)
- Multi-color prints
WANT A CHALLENGE?
Create a Reduction Print
- For prints with more than one color, you can create a reduction print, see details in photos below
- Three colors minimum including white
- Print extras! The block can only be used once! Make extra copies!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Lino-Reduction-Print-Card/
Create a Reduction Print
- For prints with more than one color, you can create a reduction print, see details in photos below
- Three colors minimum including white
- Print extras! The block can only be used once! Make extra copies!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Lino-Reduction-Print-Card/
TIPS
ARTIST INSPIRATION
Andrea Lauren
An English printmaker and textile artist based in the US. https://www.instagram.com/inkprintrepeat/ http://www.inkprintrepeat.com/work |
Chris Neuenschwander
- Contemporary printmaking based in Atlanta - Uses woodcut and linoleum carvings - Applications include prints, t-shirts, and stickers https://nooshstudios.bigcartel.com/ |
MORE GREAT CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKERS!
https://www.drawcutinkpress.com/top-linocut-artists-to-follow/
https://www.drawcutinkpress.com/top-linocut-artists-to-follow/
Mazatl
|
scott minzy
|
Rubric
A:
Well-developed personal theme
Strong visuals-effective use of line/space
Final product feels original /innovative
Correct amount of ink used
Even, straight border
Print is neat and clean
B:
Somewhat well-developed personal theme
Functional visual elements
Final product is original and creative
Correct amount of ink used
Fairly even, straight border
Print is fairly neat and clean
C:
Theme is generic or unclear
Images not highly developed
Limited creativity shown
Too little or too much ink used
Border is crooked or uneven
Print is sloppy or smudged
D:
No theme present
Poor use of space and images
Far too little or too much ink used
Border is very crooked, uneven
Print is very sloppy and smudged
A:
Well-developed personal theme
Strong visuals-effective use of line/space
Final product feels original /innovative
Correct amount of ink used
Even, straight border
Print is neat and clean
B:
Somewhat well-developed personal theme
Functional visual elements
Final product is original and creative
Correct amount of ink used
Fairly even, straight border
Print is fairly neat and clean
C:
Theme is generic or unclear
Images not highly developed
Limited creativity shown
Too little or too much ink used
Border is crooked or uneven
Print is sloppy or smudged
D:
No theme present
Poor use of space and images
Far too little or too much ink used
Border is very crooked, uneven
Print is very sloppy and smudged