Linoleum Cut Prints

Criteria for Printmaking:

· Create a two color reductive print that protests or persuades your audience of
your idea. Your idea can be an abstract or a political print.

· Use color shape and composition effectively.

· Complete an edition of 5 final prints out of 10 prints, labeled and numbered

according to the standard

· One artist proof completed with “reject” prints.

Political art
What is political art? From its beginning, art has been inseparable from the
societies that create it. Art has always reflected the present moment, bringing the
artistic truth to the general public.

*Your politically and/or socially engaged art should reflect your own opinions about
our society, politics, culture, nature, etc.
Abstract Art

What is abstract art? Abstract art is modern art which does not represent images
of our everyday world. It has color, lines and shapes, but they are not intended to
represent objects or living things. Often the artists were influenced by ideas and
philosophies. The Abstract Art movement is called Abstract Expressionism
because, although the art has no subject, it is still trying to convey some kind of
emotion.

*Your abstract art should reflect an emotion using shape, lines and color.
The Tools of the Trade
Step 1: Brainstorm, Design and Draw

-Brainstorm ideas for your block prints and choose either Political Art or Abstract Designs for
the theme of your art piece.

-Once you have chosen 2 ideas draw them on printmaking envisioning sheet and get one of
the pictures okayed by Mrs. Aguila.The pictures should be created in pencil and then colored
in with 2 colors using marker. Think about if you want white of the paper showing or not and
lighter color in the background and darker on top.

Remember: You will be carving your design into a piece of linoleum, so if this is your first
time carving a linoleum block, consider doing something relatively simple, rather than a
complicated design with lots of fine lines.

Also remember: You will be using linoleum blocks and cutter to carve out textures. What
you cut out does not get ink applied to it and, therefore, becomes the color of your paper.
You are carving out textures and light areas
Planning is key to a successful print!
Step 3: Transferring Onto the Linoleum Block

-Transfer image to the block by using a pencil transfer technique. Once you have
transferred the image get it checked by Mrs. Aguila.

- Draw image on tracing paper

-Tape down on either side on the linoleum block pencil drawing face down

- Draw on the back of the tracing paper to transfer image onto the linoleum
Step 4: Carving the Linoleum Block
-Check out a Linoleum Gouge from my desk

The Gouge is like a knife and is very sharp. Never cut towards your hand or towards you
body! Always cut away from yourself! Keep your hands out of the path of the blade.

-Practice cutting on small sample linoleum square.

-Cut final linoleum piece using gouge and bench hook (only cut out the first color shape) To
secure the block so that it does not slip or slide, use a bench hook, it attaches to the end of
your desk or work space and helps to keep your block nice and secure while carving.

-Start by using a V shaped tool, a smaller, fine tipped tool, like the one shown that I am
using, to carve out fine lines and to outline of the design. To remove more of the linoleum for
bigger lines or larger areas of block, use a U shaped tool, the blade is a bit wider and flatter.

Remember: Once you make a cut, it is not easy to fix, and sometimes it is impossible to fix.
So choose the right tool, make sure the tools are sharp, and go slow! Block printing,
particularly the carving, is a slow process that requires a lot of patience. Take your time!
Step 5: Printing
Proofing: Proofing is important. It shows you how the block will print and what mistakes you need
to fix before you start really printing. You can proof your print on scrap paper you have around so
that you don’t waste good paper on proofs.

-After you have proofed, you can go back and carve out the parts of the design that didn't print the
way you might have liked. Try to proof your block every time that you make new cuts to make sure
you are satisfied with the way that the block is printing.

-Roll your brayer (roller) in the ink until it is evenly coated. Do not get too much or too little ink on
the roller. When you have the right amount of ink on the roller, it should make a sound like ripping
Velcro when you roll the brayer back and forth.

-Make sure your hands are clean!Take your paper and position it in the block, now take your
wooden spoon and rub, using the backside, curved side, to transfer the image. Go in even circles
with the spoon and be sure to rub the entire area.

-Lift the paper slowly and carefully, and lay it on a large sheet of paper that will then be placed on
the drying rack to dry
Step 6: Carve and Print with Second Color
-Before carving away for second color check in with Mrs. Aguila with prints of first
color.

-Using the proof method carve away more of the linoleum print and do a proof to
make sure you like the results.

-Make sure you have made enough of the first color of prints and have at least 5
or more good prints.

Remember: once you have carved away linoleum you can never get this back
make sure you are ready for the second color.

-Put them to dry on drying rack and once they are dry label them with number and
signature .