I have questions. Issues. And no printmaker friends to ask. Questions such as:
1. Why can't I get a good even roll of ink on my linocuts? Is it the (water-based) ink I'm using? Is this the "look" of a linocut? When I look at awesome and beautiful linocuts online (like this one, and this one), they don't have weird differences in inkage on their prints. Why? What am I doing wrong? What is the proper technique?
2. Why is linoleum so freaking hard to cut? Is this normal? Am I weak? (Yes, I know the ironing trick. It is awesome. And seems like cheating.)
3. How do "series" work? If I'm pulling several prints from the same block or etching, how do I number them?
There are more. Always more. Any printmakers out there who can offer their sage wisdom and advice? HELP! Send them my way!
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1st Question: 1. Make sure that the surface you are rolling the ink out on AND the linoleum is clean and doesn't have any foreign pieces of grit or lint on the surface AND the roller surface is clean. Make sure you are using a decent roller (brayer) that isn't too hard. The Speedball brayers work very well and are inexpensive.
ReplyDelete2.Don't expect to ink the plate in one pass. Just slowly build up a layer of ink on your linoleum until it has a "velvety" look to it.
3.What kind of paper are you using? If it has a lot of texture, it will be harder to get an even print. A smooth absorbent paper works well.
4. What are you using to transfer the image? Speedball sells barens for transfering your image to the paper or you could use a wooden spoon. Just methodically rub the back of the paper to transfer the ink. Periodically pull back a corner of the paper to check the image.
5. Remember, water-based ink dries quicker than oil based ink so you may find that you need to reink portions of the plate.
6. Also, check the surface of your linoleum before you begin to cut. A light sandng with a fine grit sandpaper will even out any irregularities on the surface.
2nd Question: 1. I have found that the older the linoleum is the harder it is and therefore more difficult to cut. New "fresh"linoleum cuts fairly easily. Also, there is nothing wrong with warming the linoleum slightly with either an iron or putting it face down on a warming "hot plate". (OR just sit on it for a few minutes.) One note of caution - don't get the linoleum too hot because you won't get a nice clean, crisp cut.
2. Make sure your tools are sharp. Linoleum cutting tools are inexpensive and they tend to dull up quickly. Sharp tools will make all the difference when cutting.
3. A series of prints "pulled" from a block is referred to as an edition. They should all look the same. They are numbered like a fraction. Example: If you have a total of 7 prints from your block the very first one might be an "Artists Proof" The remaining 6 would be numbered like so - 1/6, 2/6, 3/6, etc. he bottom number represents the total number of prints in the edition and the top number is the sequence in which the print was pulled.
I hope this helps. The following web site might answer more of your questions and there a great books out there on the basics of linoleum printing. Best of luck. HARDPRESSED
http://www.instructables.com/id/Linoleum-Block-Printing/