Hi there,
My name is Jonathan and I can’t across your blog this afternoon and I really enjoyed seeing your linocuts evolve through the stages.
I am a graphic designer by trade and I am just starting to learn the finer details with working with linocuts.
Could you please explain (or show a video about how you transferred your drawing to the linocut? I have read a few articles about how some artists transfer the drawing with carbon paper or they cover the back of the drawing with charcoal. There has to be an easier way…. I lose a little bit of energy to the drawing when I transfer the artwork.
I have another blog which basically takes this one & puts all the post into a searchable ordered format. There is a section there which has a series of posts about evolving a drawing into a linocut. https://wildfloweringsarttutorials.blog/linocut-tuition-posts/
Everyone produces linocuts differently but essentially you need to be able to work out how to evolve your drawing to create shapes which you can either cut out to create ‘white’ space (or coloured if doing a reduction or multi block linocut) or create texture or pattern within those shapes or layers.
My work creates white shapes I can hand colour with watercolour or sometimes I use some b&w sections of texture/pattern. I create a b&w template by colouring a photocopy of the drawing & using marker pens to work out the areas I want to carve & how I want to basically carve them. I can then use this to follow when carving. Others simply put the drawing on the Lino & ink the block. I like the process & challenge of flipping a drawing into a design that can be carved.
To transfer the design to Lino I use tracing paper (even kitchen non waxed paper is fine) which I trace the design onto flip the tracing paper over which then reverses the image for carving so when it is printed it is correct. I use old fashioned carbon paper taped onto the block then use a biro pen to draw on the reversed tracing paper which then transfers the image onto the block. Others use different methods none of which I have used.
Nick Morley a UK based linocut artist has also written a great book
One printmaker George Bodmer, once said “Printmaking is fun because it takes a perfectly simple process like drawing and makes it as complicated and error prone as possible.”
I think that about sums up printmaking 🤷♀️🤣
Hope this helps! Would love to see some of your work.
Hi Lyn, thank you so much for the great response with the accompanying links to other various artists.
I have been watching some of the videos and picking up some tips. I started learning more about linocuts when I saw a video about an xcut xpress machine. I love the creation of the artwork and the process of carving out the image. The toughest part for me was printing the piece and getting a smooth transfer of the ink. I bought a small hand press for $70 USD from Speedball and the results are mixed. I am still looking for the unicorn and I have been trying to track down an xcut xpress. I think it will make life easier with the even pressure.
So much impressive work. I just started with linocuts. But, I also create scratchboard (scraperboard) work too though. It’s a similar process with the image creation and transfer. If I can include here, I will…. I am not sure if it will attach properly here.
I also saw the tutorial using the wood glue on the block. I am not if you have it where you are, but we have a product over here called HodgePodge. it comes in a white bottle with an orange label. You can also coat the back of the printed page and it transfer you artwork. The toughest part is removing the paper. It’s a little tedious….
I would love share some work some time. I just don’t want to broadcast the info here….
Wildflowerings - Art Studio Diary 
Hi there,
My name is Jonathan and I can’t across your blog this afternoon and I really enjoyed seeing your linocuts evolve through the stages.
I am a graphic designer by trade and I am just starting to learn the finer details with working with linocuts.
Could you please explain (or show a video about how you transferred your drawing to the linocut? I have read a few articles about how some artists transfer the drawing with carbon paper or they cover the back of the drawing with charcoal. There has to be an easier way…. I lose a little bit of energy to the drawing when I transfer the artwork.
Nice job with the videos too…
Thank you,
Jonathan Finn
jffinn@mac.com
Hello Jonathan,
I have another blog which basically takes this one & puts all the post into a searchable ordered format. There is a section there which has a series of posts about evolving a drawing into a linocut. https://wildfloweringsarttutorials.blog/linocut-tuition-posts/
It’s been a while since I have blogged regularly, been busy with other things as well, but I do post on my Instagram account which is like mini blogging. In the story highlights there are mini videos – this is one about transferring the design https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDE4ODM0NjMxMDczMjU3?igshid=152ekcsme7k7l&story_media_id=1967342760349800958
Everyone produces linocuts differently but essentially you need to be able to work out how to evolve your drawing to create shapes which you can either cut out to create ‘white’ space (or coloured if doing a reduction or multi block linocut) or create texture or pattern within those shapes or layers.
Some people fill the shapes with texture like David Frazer
https://www.dfrazer.com/
Rew Hanks
https://www.nicholasthompsongallery.com.au/artists/rew-hanks/ or create layers of linocuts to create an image like
Dianne Fogwell
http://www.diannefogwell.com.au/
My work creates white shapes I can hand colour with watercolour or sometimes I use some b&w sections of texture/pattern. I create a b&w template by colouring a photocopy of the drawing & using marker pens to work out the areas I want to carve & how I want to basically carve them. I can then use this to follow when carving. Others simply put the drawing on the Lino & ink the block. I like the process & challenge of flipping a drawing into a design that can be carved.
To transfer the design to Lino I use tracing paper (even kitchen non waxed paper is fine) which I trace the design onto flip the tracing paper over which then reverses the image for carving so when it is printed it is correct. I use old fashioned carbon paper taped onto the block then use a biro pen to draw on the reversed tracing paper which then transfers the image onto the block. Others use different methods none of which I have used.
https://kimherringe.com.au/lino-printing/image-transfer-to-lino-block/
http://handprinted.users63.interdns.co.uk/2016/03/30/transferring-an-image-onto-lino/
Dianne Fogwell has written a terrific book about how she creates her work with lots of insights
https://www.inflorescencepress.com.au/?fbclid=IwAR0Gi7w_zx5LnPUab1LU6vDtW-Ee95BiZVOrbyPRQMAipGYATE-hS-LI-v0
Nick Morley a UK based linocut artist has also written a great book
One printmaker George Bodmer, once said “Printmaking is fun because it takes a perfectly simple process like drawing and makes it as complicated and error prone as possible.”
I think that about sums up printmaking 🤷♀️🤣
Hope this helps! Would love to see some of your work.
Kind regards
Lyn Weir
Hi Lyn, thank you so much for the great response with the accompanying links to other various artists.
I have been watching some of the videos and picking up some tips. I started learning more about linocuts when I saw a video about an xcut xpress machine. I love the creation of the artwork and the process of carving out the image. The toughest part for me was printing the piece and getting a smooth transfer of the ink. I bought a small hand press for $70 USD from Speedball and the results are mixed. I am still looking for the unicorn and I have been trying to track down an xcut xpress. I think it will make life easier with the even pressure.
So much impressive work. I just started with linocuts. But, I also create scratchboard (scraperboard) work too though. It’s a similar process with the image creation and transfer. If I can include here, I will…. I am not sure if it will attach properly here.
I also saw the tutorial using the wood glue on the block. I am not if you have it where you are, but we have a product over here called HodgePodge. it comes in a white bottle with an orange label. You can also coat the back of the printed page and it transfer you artwork. The toughest part is removing the paper. It’s a little tedious….
I would love share some work some time. I just don’t want to broadcast the info here….
Well thanks so much and good luck,
Jonathan