Linocut printing is an elaborate art form dating back to the early 20th century. Multi-color linocuts are no exception; they add a new layer of complexity to this beautiful medium. Techniques in this variety of relief printmaking allow artists to distinctly manipulate each color layer to create visually captivating art pieces. As intriguing as this may seem, it’s quintessential to have a reliable guide to acquaint with this form of art. The upcoming expert hacks and guides for beginners will pave their way to mastering multi-color linocut printing.
The Basic Principle of Multi-color Linocut Printing
Before delving into the steps, your apprehension about multi-color linocut printing can be managed by understanding its working principle. In every linocut, the linoleum’s raised areas inked and printed on paper to create the image. In multi-color linocut, several color layers placed on top of each other. It’s accomplished by carving into the same block of linoleum for each color and printing consecutively. Initiate with the lightest shade, sequentially carving and printing each subsequent color until the darkest is added last.
Materials Needed
To navigate towards this artistic form, you will need linoleum, sketch, tools for carving, various oil/watercolor paints, a roller (brayer), a wooden spoon or baren for burnishing, clean sheets, a pencil, paper for printing, tracing paper, and glass for rolling out inks. A press is optional; hand burnishing works wonderfully as well.
Step 1: Prepare the Sketch
The first step in multi-color linocut printing is to prepare your design. The sketch should consider the different color layers and how they will overlap. The success of the final print significantly depends on this step. Hence, efforts should be made to ensure that this initial stage is well-executed.
Step 2: Transfer the Sketch
After detailing the sketch, transfer it onto the linoleum block with a pencil. Once this is done, the linoleum could be carved out accordingly. Always ensure to transfer the design in reverse. This step ensures that when the final print is made, it is the right way round.
Step 3: Carving the Linoleum
Post transferring, the carving process starts. Always carve away areas where you don’t want the first color to appear and remaining raised areas will form the first inked print. Wear a safety glove to protect your hands from any accidental slips. This step requires extreme caution as any mistake at this stage can be irreversible.
Step 4: Applying the Ink
For the first, and usually lightest layer, ink should be applied to all the remaining raised surface of the linoleum block. This can be done using a roller, which should be rolled over the block several times to ensure an even application.
Step 5: Print the First Color
Next, place the linocut face down onto the sheet of paper and rub the back of it with a wooden spoon or printing baren. This part of the process is called burnishing. Once burnished, peel off the linocut gently to reveal the first color.
Step 6: The Pressing Process
Using a press instead of hand burnishing can save effort and achieve more uniform prints. Always make sure to place the paper face down onto the inked linocut block when using a press.
Step 7: Carving for the Next Color
Once the first color is printed, you can start carving the areas where you don’t want the second color to appear. Your inked proof can guide where to carve for each subsequent color.
Step 8: Completing the Rest of the Colors
Repeat the process described in steps 4-7 for each of your colors, always remembering to carve out areas where you don’t want the subsequent color to appear. You will carve more out for each color layer, leaving less linoleum behind with each step.
Step 9: Drying the Print
Finally, leave your print to dry. It’s worth noting that many printing inks take a long time to dry—sometimes several days. Hence, drying the print requires a bit of patience.
Troubleshooting Tips
Learning a new art like multi-color linocut printing can be daunting and often, mistakes are made. Thoroughly clean your linocut and brayer to prevent blending or muddying of your colors. In case of wrong carving, remember that it is impossible to put back what you’ve removed. Hence, practice on a scrap piece of lino before embarking on the final design. Remember, patience is the key.
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Sources:
- Reductivelinocut [http://www.reductivelinocut.com]
- EasyLino [http://www.easylino.com]
- ThePrintmakingProcess [http://www.theprintmakingprocess.com]
