In this two-day masterclass, you'll be taught the core skills of linocutting and acquire the principles which will enable you to create reduction linocuts.
In this two-day masterclass, you'll be taught the core skills of linocutting and acquire the principles which will enable you to create reduction linocuts.
What is reduction linocutting?
Reduction linocut is a technique for achieving multiple colours in a print using just one block of lino. You carve/cut one layer, print it, carve/cut again, print again and repeat as needed for the number of colours you're printing.
The surface of the lino is reduced for every colour you print, hence the name.
Day 1 will be spent discussing your image, designing, drawing, cutting and printing the first colour. After allowing the prints to dry overnight, on Day 2, we'll continue cutting, proofing and finally printing a second layer/colour.
Planning
It's vital to think carefully about the sketch or photograph you're going to work from. As we'll be using just two colours for the reduction, images with plenty of contrast are ideal. Although you're using 2 colours, the colour of the paper will produce an initial 'white' (or highlight) and your 2 colours will form the mid tone and shadow. Please see the Caernarfon Castle linocut below:
In the Caernarfon linocut, the clouds and highlights on the castle are cut away first – then the pale blue is printed. Secondly, everything that needs to remain blue is cut away, before printing the black.
As part of the process, you'll learn how to register your prints perfectly, and how to make a registration board using a simple method of cardboard 'buffers'.
For the printing process itself, you'll be using various methods from a wooden spoon through to a small, portable press.
Please bring with you a tonal sketch or high contrast photograph to work from. Maximum size should be 12cm x 10cm.
All other materials and tools will be provided
