Linocut printmaking,
a relief printing technique
I use traditional linoleum where the lino block, made from natural ingredients such as linseed oil & wood flour, is carved and inked up. The areas cut away do not receive ink and do not transfer it onto the paper. This creates a mirrored image of the block when printed.
The principal tools I use are gouges that need to be kept very sharp and brayers of various size which are used to ink up the lino blocks. I use Caligo Safe Wash oil-based inks that can be cleaned safely, without the use of any solvents. I create the hues I wish to use by mixing the colours.
Some of the designs require to use multiple blocks to create overlapping colours and
gradients. The sketched design is transferred onto several lino blocks, and I
use registration pins to align the layers properly.
Due to the nature of the printing process, each print is unique. They are signed and numbered as part of a limited edition.
