BLOCK PRINTING - Linocut Prints
Linocut printmaking, a relatively modern technique, emerged in the early 20th century as a more accessible alternative to woodcuts. It gained prominence through the work of German expressionist artists like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, who used linoleum's soft and easy-to-carve properties to break away from traditional artistic conventions. Linocuts quickly gained popularity due to the ease of working with linoleum, making it attractive to artists without access to professional printmaking studios.
The influence of linocuts spread to various art movements, including Expressionism, Cubism, and Futurism. These prints often featured bold, angular lines and simplified forms, reflecting the avant-garde aesthetic of the time. Renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger, and M.C. Escher also experimented with linocuts, each bringing their unique style and approach to the medium, resulting in a wide range of artistic expressions through linocuts.
Linocuts found practical applications in commercial art, including book illustrations, magazine graphics, and posters, further popularizing the technique. Over the years, linocut printmaking has seen periodic revivals in popularity, and it remains a favored medium among contemporary artists and printmakers due to its versatility and graphic quality. Its enduring popularity is a testament to how artists have continually adapted and experimented with printmaking techniques to suit their creative needs and express their unique artistic visions. Today, it continues to be a beloved and accessible method for creating both fine art and commercial graphics.
Pablo Picasso, Portrait of a Woman with a Hat, 1962, Bloch 1072, Linocut (S)
Linocut is a type of relief printmaking where the image is carved into a sheet of linoleum. It's a versatile and accessible technique for creating graphic and bold prints. Here are the key steps involved in creating linocut prints:
Materials/Tools: You'll need a sheet of linoleum, carving tools (linoleum cutters), ink, brayers (rollers), paper, and a printing press or hand-printing tools.
Design: You start by creating a design or image on the linoleum sheet. It's a subtractive process, so the areas you want to be white or uninked are carved away using the linoleum cutters, leaving the raised areas to be inked and printed.
Inking: Ink is applied to the raised surface of the linoleum using a brayer, ensuring that the carved-away areas remain free of ink.
Printing: Place a piece of paper on top of the inked linoleum and apply pressure evenly. This can be done either by using a printing press or by hand. The paper is carefully lifted off the linoleum to reveal the printed image.
Editions: Multiple prints can be made from the same linoleum block, creating an edition of prints. The more you print, the lighter the image will become as the linoleum gradually wears down.
Linocut prints often have a bold, graphic quality due to the contrast between the inked and uninked areas. Artists can use different linoleum carving tools to create varying line thicknesses and textures, and they can experiment with different inks and paper types to achieve different effects.
Linocut is a popular printmaking technique among artists and printmakers, and it has been used in various forms for many years to create illustrations, posters, and fine art prints. It offers a way to produce multiple copies of an image while still maintaining the artist's handcrafted touch.
The Set Up
Materials/Tools
Linoleum
A sheet of linoleum is the surface on which the image is created. Linoleum is typically made from a mixture of cork and linseed oil, mounted on a wooden or plastic block. It has a smooth surface that can be carved to create the relief design for printing.
Carving Tools
Carving tools, often referred to as linoleum cutters, are specialized instruments used to carve the linoleum. They typically have interchangeable cutting tips of various shapes and sizes, allowing artists to create different line thicknesses and details in their designs.
Ink
Ink is the medium used to transfer the image from the linoleum block to paper. Printmaking ink is specially formulated for this purpose. It is applied to the raised, uncarved areas of the linoleum using a brayer.
Brayers (Rollers)
Brayers, also known as rollers, are used to apply ink to the linoleum block evenly. They have a rubber or soft material surface that can hold and spread ink across the block's surface, ensuring that the carved areas remain ink-free.
Paper
Various types of printmaking paper can be used, depending on the artist's preference and the desired effect. The paper is carefully placed over the inked linoleum block, and pressure is applied to transfer the ink onto the paper.
Printing Press or Hand-Printing Tools
The choice of printing method can vary. A printing press is a mechanical device used for consistent and even pressure, making it ideal for producing multiple prints with consistent quality. Alternatively, hand-printing tools, like a wooden spoon or baren, can be used for smaller-scale, manual printing by applying pressure by hand to transfer the image from the block to the paper.
The Process
Design
Conceptualizing the Design:
Begin by brainstorming and sketching your ideas. Think about the subject matter, composition, and overall concept you want to convey through your linocut.
Consider the graphic and bold nature of linocuts. This medium is well-suited for strong contrasts, simple shapes, and bold lines.
Transferring the Design:
Once you have a rough idea, transfer the design onto the linoleum block. You can do this by drawing directly on the linoleum using a pencil or by creating a detailed drawing on a separate piece of paper and then transferring it to the linoleum using tracing paper.
Remember that the design will be a mirror image of what you draw, as it will be reversed when printed. If the orientation matters, ensure your design is created accordingly.
Carving Tools Selection:
Depending on your design, select the appropriate linoleum cutters or carving tools. Different cutters have various tip shapes and sizes. Use finer tips for intricate details and broader ones for larger areas.
Carving the Linoleum:
Begin the carving process. Remove the linoleum material from the areas you want to remain white in the final print. The carved-away areas will not hold ink and will be the background of your design.
Pay close attention to the depth of your cuts. Deeper cuts will result in darker areas, while shallow cuts will create lighter areas. Experiment with the pressure applied while carving to achieve different tonal values.
Creating Texture and Depth:
Linocuts can incorporate various textures and patterns. You can add texture by creating patterns on the linoleum or using crosshatching techniques with the carving tools.
To create depth in your design, consider different carving depths and layering inks of various colors. The order in which you apply ink and print layers can also affect the final result.
Inking & Printing
Inking and Proofing:
Once your linoleum block is carved to your satisfaction, it's time to apply ink. Use a brayer to roll a thin, even layer of ink over the raised, uncarved surface of the linoleum.
Make a test print, known as a proof, to ensure that your design looks as intended. This allows you to make any necessary adjustments before proceeding with the final prints.
Printing:
With your linoleum block inked and your paper ready, you can start printing. Place the paper on top of the inked block and apply pressure evenly. This can be done using a printing press or by hand with tools like a wooden spoon or baren.
Editions and Experimentation:
You can create multiple prints (an edition) from the same linoleum block, but be aware that the image may lighten with each subsequent print as the linoleum wears down.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different inks, paper types, and layering techniques to create variations and unique effects.
Creating a linocut design requires a balance between planning and artistic experimentation. It's a process that allows for artistic expression and the development of a personal style within the parameters of the medium.
