How to Cut a Linoleum Block
Linoleum blocks form the base used in linocutting, a printmaking technique that involves cutting away a thin layer of non-essential background linoleum from the face of the block to leave behind raised lines to create a printable image. The process, used originally with wood blocks, creates a reverse image of the picture carved into the block by applying ink to the raised lines, then pressing the block against a piece of paper or other surface. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Place the block of linoleum onto a flat work surface with the side you intend to use for printing, face up.
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Draw your image onto the surface of the linoleum using a pencil. Keep in mind that the linoleum prints a mirror image to what's drawn, so adjust your print composition accordingly. A figure drawn on the left of the block will appear to the right of the print, mirror letters as well, running words from right to left instead of left to right.
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Cut out the background and large shapes from the block using a wide-scooped hand-held gouge. Press the sharp tip of the gouge within the outlines of the shape drawn with the pencil. Push the gouge lightly through the linoleum, cutting away a thin layer of the material with the point of the gouge. Continue to make our cuts in the space, creating a shallow, level space that won't appear on the print, while leaving the drawn outlines intact. The outlines are what the ink will impress onto the surface of the print to create the image.
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Use a fine point V-shaped gouge to cut smaller areas from the linoleum for detailed lines. Maintain an even depth of about 1 to 2 mm throughout the block to ensure none of the background material inadvertently prints.
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Brush away any residue from the gouging with a small brush, and make corrections where needed.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit old printing image by Alexander Ivanov from Fotolia.com
