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| Dozing 5.5 x 7.5 Linocut with Watercolor on paper |
Available in my Etsy Shop.
This linocut was an experiment with pattern on pattern. The reference photo had the same tone and values in about 80% of the image, except for the extreme lights (the sun light) and the darks (the cats). I carved a variety of marks in stripes (wall paper), dots (the floor) and serpentine line (the bedspread) that weren’t in the original scene, knowing I would paint over it after the ink dried to adjust the values.
The print without the watercolor (see below) isn’t as atmospheric to my eyes, but knocking the value down with watercolor washes along the back wall and over the knotted curtain brought the art closer to what I intended.
You can see a 4 minute video of the process and the reference photo here.
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| The set up & process to make this linocut is on youtube. See it here. |
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| Carving mounted linoleum with Flexcut Carving tools |
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| Laying the drawing on the block using a reference photo and a grid pattern (more details on this are in the youtube video) |
Linocut printmaking has been around for a very long time. Artists have experimented with various forms of carving, inks, pigments, papers and added media.
It may seem very exacting, since relief printmaking has some hard and fast rules related to safety, and ink transfer works best with the right pigments for the right paper. It’s also important to prepare for your design to print in reverse. The creative part of linocut printmaking for beginners is loaded with possibilities, and once you get a few block prints under your belt, you’ll be printing editions like a boss.
Many printmakers enjoy the carving part of the process very pleasant and meditative. Try to keep that pleasant part in mind when you are carving your block. Have fun with it, and don’t worry how it comes out. You can make another one fast after you print this one. The more you make, the better you’ll get.
Thanks for visiting today, and I’ll see you in the next post!
Belinda
Art Quote
Even now, all possible feelings do not yet exist, there are still those that lie beyond our capacity and our imagination. From time to time, when a piece of music no one has ever written or a painting no one has ever painted, or something else impossible to predict, fathom or yet describe takes place, a new feeling enters the world. And then, for the millionth time in the history of feeling, the heart surges and absorbs the impact.
Nicole Krause, The History of Love
@barbara – thanks for stopping by, my friend. I hope the blanket of cold and snow starts to pull it’s folds back to reveal a little Springtime where you are soon. xoxoxo
@wade, thanks for stopping by. I recommend the flexcut palm set to anyone who likes to carve detail in their linocuts and woodcuts. They are excellent knives, and the customer service is also wonderful.
As always I love your work — the use of light in this is magnificent.
Love the quote too. Aren’t we humans lucky in that!
XOXOXO Barbara
I really love how this turned out. The detail is great! I may have to look into that Flexcut micropalm set. Thanks for sharing with us!
Wade