How to Lino Cut. Printmaking for beginners., by Ant Keogh Art Concern on YouTube. 4 min 55 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 55 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Draw your design at final size on paper. Remember the print comes out mirrored, so write any lettering backwards and keep shapes simple and bold.
Transfer it to the lino. Shade the back of the drawing with a soft pencil, tape it face down on the block and trace the lines, or draw straight onto the lino.
Warm the block if it feels hard. Sit on it for a few minutes or rest it near a radiator so the gouge glides instead of juddering.
Fix the block on a bench hook or non-slip mat so it cannot slide while you cut.
Outline your shapes with a narrow V gouge using light cuts. Go slowly and let the tool do the work rather than forcing it.
Clear the areas that should stay white with a wider U gouge. Anything you cut away will not print, so check your design as you go.
Push the tool away from your body and keep the hand holding the block behind the blade, never in front of it.
Squeeze a small blob of relief ink onto a flat tile and roll it into a thin, even layer. Roll over the block until the surface is tacky and evenly covered.
Lay your paper on the block, hold it still at one edge and rub all over with a wooden spoon or baren, working from the centre outwards.
Peel the print off from one corner in a steady motion, then clean the block and tools before the ink dries.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep your tools sharp; a blunt gouge slips and is more likely to cut you than a sharp one.
Roll the ink thin. Thick ink fills the fine cut lines and you lose detail in the print.
Test with a proof print early, because the block reads differently in reverse and you can still adjust the carving.
Hold the paper down firmly while burnishing so it does not shift and smear the image.
Questions
Do I need a printing press to make a linocut?
No. Hand burnishing with a wooden spoon or baren works well, especially on lighter papers around 80 to 150gsm. A press only speeds things up and gives a more even result.
What lino should a beginner use?
Grey or green battleship lino is the standard choice. Soft-cut lino or rubber blocks are easier to carve but crumble more and give less crisp detail.
How do I stop the block from sliding while I carve?
Use a bench hook or put a damp cloth or non-slip mat under the block. A block that moves is the most common cause of slipped tools and cut fingers.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
