Linocut & printmaking 101 – Artful Chica
Welcome to linocut & printmaking 101. Printmaking is such a basic artwork kind and it’s a lot simpler than you assume.
This linocut & printmaking 101 is ideal for novices.
I shared this craft a couple of years again in the past (right here), however pulled out all my provides once more final weekend. This mission by no means disappoints! Sure, it takes a little bit of endurance and there’s a little studying curve, however that isthe leisure of all of it.
I made quite a lot of stamps whereas watching Santa Clarita Weight loss program on Netflix, I can’t say I cherished the goofy-meets-gory mother zombie collection, nevertheless it did maintain me in my chair all day whereas I labored on these, I by no means modified the channel.
RELATED: Extra printmaking!
Here’s a video tutorial for you!
SUPPLIES:
These are the provides I used and you may get them on the craft retailer, or on amazon (affiliate hyperlinks listed):
I exploit this linocutter as a result of it has the additional blades contained in the deal with and works nice on the pink reducing block.
There are several types of blocks to carve, this pink one is my favourite. The white one is just too delicate, and the brown one is just too laborious. The pink one is good!
Ink. I recommend utilizing ink meant for block printing. I used craft cloth paint on one in every of mine and it hardened the floor. TIP: Use child wipes to wash your stamps instantly after printing to forestall this.
There are many printing inks, and a number of colours. I solely have black proper now, however plan to purchase a set of coloured inks subsequent!
And also you’ll want a brayer…
When you print, you may get fancy and use a Speedball Baren for Block Printing to burnish the stamp onto the floor
You’ll additionally want a pencil, eraser and tracing paper. Black marker.
Steps:
Draw your design on the tracing paper, make sure that it should match on the dimensions of the block. When you’ve drawn it, press it face down on the block and use the spoon to burnish the picture on the floor. Take away the paper, then use the marker to paint in the place you DO NOT WANT TO CUT. That is necessary as a result of one slip up can break your entire design.
OK, time to chop. The blades come in U shapes and V shapes. “U” are excellent for taking out large areas, and the “V” is nice for finer element.
TIP: All the time minimize away from you so that you don’t minimize your self. That is additionally the rationale I exploit the pink block, it’s delicate sufficient so I don’t dig in an excessive amount of.
I exploit the V to stipulate throughout the black traces, then I exploit the U to take away the remainder.
As soon as it’s all minimize, apply a small dollop of ink on a really flat non-porous floor.
Roll the brayer time and again on the paint to get a skinny, even coat on the brayer. You don’t need an excessive amount of paint as a result of it should blot your design and fill your cuts with globs of paint. Bear in mind, only a skinny layer will do. Then place the stamp on the floor, in the event you don’t have a baren, use a sheet of switch paper on high and the spoon to burnish all of the areas. Here’s a mini video!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQExaabgWuV/?taken-by=craftychica
Follow on paper till you get the grasp of it, then make increasingly and extra!
I used these wooden bins to print on, they had been a bit of tough because of the form, however they nonetheless got here out tremendous candy!
I made a bunch of greeting playing cards too. I listed these on Etsy and sold them!
TIP: In case you write phrases, make sure that to attract them backwards, as a result of it should print reverse. 
So what do you assume? Are you able to strive it? I simply ordered extra reducing blocks, I’m addicted. That’s one other factor I like about this craft, the provides are small and simple to journey with, and upon getting them, all you want are objects to chop. You should utilize them on potatoes, erasers, candles, cleaning soap, greenware clay, that’s all I can consider proper now!
