Linocut & printmaking 101 – Artful Chica

Welcome to linocut & printmaking 101. Printmaking is such a traditional artwork kind and it’s a lot simpler than you assume.

This linocut & printmaking 101 is ideal for learners.

I shared this craft just a few years again in the past (right here), however pulled out all my provides once more final weekend. This venture 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 Food plan on Netflix, I can’t say  I liked the goofy-meets-gory mother zombie sequence, but it surely 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! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX9-Uipg3Fs

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 chopping block.

There are several types of blocks to carve, this pink one is my favourite. The white one is simply too gentle, and the brown one is simply too exhausting. The pink one is excellent!

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 scrub your stamps instantly after printing to stop this.

There are many printing inks, and plenty 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, however truthfully, I exploit a spoon! Or you may purchase a giant package like this that has greater than sufficient to get began: Speedball Deluxe Block Printing Kit.

You’ll additionally want a pencil, eraser and tracing paper. Black marker.

Steps:

Draw your design on the tracing paper, ensure that it can 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 essential as a result of one slip up can smash your complete design.

OK, time to chop. The blades come in U shapes and V shapes. “U” are good for taking out massive areas, and the “V” is nice for finer element.

TIP: At all times minimize away from you so that you don’t minimize your self. That is additionally the explanation I exploit the pink block, it’s gentle 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 can blot your design and fill your cuts with globs of paint. Keep in mind, only a skinny layer will do. Then place the stamp on the floor, if you happen to don’t have a baren, use a sheet of switch paper on prime and the spoon to burnish all of the areas. Here’s a mini video!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQExaabgWuV/?taken-by=craftychica

Observe on paper till you get the grasp of it, then make an increasing number of and extra!

I used these wooden bins to print on, they have been a little bit difficult as a result of 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: For those who write phrases, ensure that to attract them backwards, as a result of it can print reverse. 

So what do you assume? Are you able to attempt it? I simply ordered extra chopping blocks, I’m addicted. That’s one other factor I like about this craft, the provides are small and straightforward to journey with, and upon getting them, all you want are gadgets to chop. You should utilize them on potatoes, erasers, candles, cleaning soap, greenware clay, that’s all I can consider proper now!