Carving approaches for linocuts…linoprints

Sometimes if the carving of a linoleum block is more complex or I want to try out a couple of different carving methods before starting on the actual design block I will do a ‘sample carve and print’ first. The process of deciding whether you want a ‘rough’ immediate style of graphic image that reflects a subject like ‘The Cough’ by Australian artist Noel Counihan or a more cleanedge approach really depends on the subject matter and how the artist wishes to reflect or convey the image they are creating. How ever, how the lino block is carved will directly relate to the final print image that is created.

The outside leaves of the current Waratahs design are quite complex – I am going to have to watch carefully to make sure I carve the correct sections!

I have just completed a very rough small section of one of the leaves with a 2 different carving approaches to the ‘hatched’ areas on the leaves. I started by carving the outside white sections leaving the raised areas which were to give the ‘hatching’ effect. The ‘hatched’ sections on the top of this image are where I have carried the blade fully across the raised areas. The carving in the middle is where I have carved the lines ‘inside’ these raised areas creating edges when printed. The final section on the bottom is where I have been looking at starting with an edge and then running the lines off the opposite side. I like the first lot of carving on the left to get the ‘hatching’ effect that I want.

I will file this print with the sample carved block for future reference.

The second carving method I sampled is part of the complex black and white ‘background’ waratah. This is just some quite roughly carved pieces of this section to decide about the approach I will use. I may make some changes to the design…whilst carving the sections I know I am now happy with.

Now to the carving of this rather daunting linoblock….

Copyright – Lynette Weir