Welcome to linocut & printmaking 101. Printmaking is such a basic artwork kind and it’s a lot simpler than you suppose.
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! Yes, it takes a little bit of endurance and there’s a little studying curve, however that isthe leisure of all of it.
I made a wide range of stamps whereas watching Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix, I can’t say I beloved the goofy-meets-gory mother zombie collection, nevertheless it did hold me in my chair all day whereas I labored on these, I by no means modified the channel.
RELATED: More 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 take advantage of this linocutter as a result of it has the additional blades contained in the deal with and works nice on the pink slicing block.
There are various kinds of blocks to carve, this pink one is my favourite. The white one is simply too comfortable, and the brown one is simply too arduous. The pink one is excellent!
Ink. I recommend utilizing ink meant for block printing. I used craft cloth paint on considered one of mine and it hardened the floor. TIP: Use child wipes to scrub your stamps instantly after printing to forestall this.
There are a number of printing inks, and plenty of colours. I solely have black proper now, however plan to purchase a set of coloured inks subsequent!
And you’ll want a brayer…
Once 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 would match on the scale of the block. Once you’ve drawn it, press it face down on the block and use the spoon to burnish the picture on the floor. Remove the paper, then use the marker to paint in the place you DO NOT WANT TO CUT. This is necessary as a result of one slip up can wreck your entire design.
OK, time to chop. The blades come in U shapes and V shapes. “U” are excellent for taking out massive areas, and the “V” is nice for finer element.
TIP: Always minimize away from you so that you don’t minimize your self. This can also be the explanation I take advantage of the pink block, it’s comfortable sufficient so I don’t dig in an excessive amount of.
I take advantage of the V to stipulate throughout the black traces, then I take advantage of the U to take away the remainder.
Once 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 would blot your design and fill your cuts with globs of paint. Remember, only a skinny layer will do. Then place the stamp on the floor, should 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
Practice on paper till you get the cling of it, then make increasingly and extra!
I used these wooden bins to print on, they have been a bit of difficult 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: If you write phrases, make sure that to attract them backwards, as a result of it would print reverse. 
So what do you suppose? Are you able to strive it? I simply ordered extra slicing 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 can use them on potatoes, erasers, candles, cleaning soap, greenware clay, that’s all I can consider proper now!
