Gold and Green Holly Origin...
Sam Luck£10.00
“Original handmade lino cut prints and greeting cards”
I've been interested in artistic pursuits since a child and always have some kind of project on the go. I'm a full-time Graphic Designer and part time printmaker - something I've recently started and caught the bug for! Like so many artists, I am influenced by nature, specifically plants. I'm currently interested in making linocut prints of various seasonal plants and flowers I see when I'm out walking my dog. I'm lucky enough to live in the Hampshire countryside so am never short of inspiration, especially with the ever-changing seasons.
If you are wondering what a linocut print is, I'll do my best to explain. A linocut is a type of printmaking where you carve a design into a sheet of linoleum (yep—the same material used for flooring!) using sharp hand held tools. Once you’ve carved your image, you roll ink over the raised surface and press it onto paper, either by hand or by using a press, to create a bold, graphic print. Think of it like making a giant stamp.
Process:
1. Start with a design
You begin by sketching a design—something bold and simple works best. Many people draw right onto the linoleum block, but you can also transfer a drawing.
2. Carve away the areas you don’t want to print
Using special carving tools, you scoop out the parts of the design that should stay white (or the colour of the paper). Whatever you leave raised will pick up ink and print. It’s a bit like reverse drawing—carving out the “negative space.”
3. Roll on the ink
Next, you use a small roller (called a brayer) to coat the raised surface with a thin, even layer of printing ink.
4. Press the paper onto the inked block
You lay a sheet of paper on top and apply pressure—this can be done with a printing press, a baren (a flat handheld tool) or even the back of a spoon!
5. Reveal the print!
Peel the paper off the block, and voilà—your image appears. One block can make multiple (almost) identical prints, but the magic of printmaking is that each will be slightly different due to the handmade process, sometimes creating slight variations in ink density, markings and colour. I just love the handcrafted element of printmaking and will often leave stray carving marks in the print to accentuate this. Each piece is truly unique!
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