Preparing a test linocut
Mark making with linocutting tools to discover the range of expression possible with linocutting.
I have a set of Pfeil tools that I have used for this test linocut, it’s not the set that I intended to buy, but for the time being will have to do.
With 6 tools I have set out a grid on my lino with a line for each tool.
Initial thoughts are that I have no love for L5/3, the lino seems to tear rather than cut, no matter how I hold the tool. I sought advice on a forum and received the following response, so will try again at the end of this exercise.
Keep the angle low and don’t cut deep. It is great for clearing once you get used to it. takes a while to get used to it. Have been using recently and found it good, just needs a bit of practice
I really enjoyed using L9/5 & L11/1. 9 had a nice soft scoop to it and was quite shallow, while 11 cut nice straight lines (straight for a beginner) with sharp clean edges.
The plate was proofed using tracing paper (since seen that cartridge paper may be better to use for proofing.) and a soft pencil, I made a few adjustments to my cut lines and then inked ready for use.
I made three sets of test prints:
Paper –
- Bread & Butter
- Fabriano Unica
- Zerkall
Ink –
- Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash
- Speedball Water Soluble
Khadi paper was added as an afterthought, the ink has not picked up well, maybe it’s the texture of the paper, but the real downside for me was that bits of the paper surface were left on the lino so the plate had to be cleaned before moving on.
- Escola
Prints – Feeling brave and following my tutor advice on paper I have used Fabriano Unica & Zerkall paper, alongside Bread & Butter. I am still struggling to lift ink onto the more textured papers, but the Zerkall has become a firm favourite, the ink transfers better than the others, I guess it’s because its 145gm rather than 250gm of the other papers. Prints did get better as the depth of the ink built up on lino plate.
Although still messy with the Cranfield ink, it is a much better quality and leaves a better print image than the other inks that I was testing; Speedball is better than Escola. I have seen online that the Cranfield Safe Wash Ink is available in tubes and this might be less messy than trying to access the ink under a skin in the tins.
Tools –
The V shape tools give sharp defined lines, edges, corners and sharp start and end points. They appear to be good for finer details. Using them to flick out small spots of lino could be good for shading, pattern, texture or tone as would cross hatching. Short curve lines would be good for grass like foliage.
The U shaped tools are shallower and softer in their marks, it was easier to make circles than with the V shaped tools but I found it harder to create a defined edge, though if I used a rocking movement when I carved I did get some nice zigzags and squiggle marks. Moving to the next projects I am thinking of using the coast for ideas, this maybe good for seaweeds and plants. Short flicky movements gave a print of small dots, again adds textures and tones, maybe shingle or flower centres. A larger shallow mark may work for pebbles. I’d like to try a U shaped tool that is as deep as the 9 but smaller in width.
Larger U shaped tools would be good for quickly clearing negative space, by leaving more ridges between each cut you could add extra textures especially if the cuts followed the form and movement of the picture being carved.
Additional test prints
I decided to do another test print of lino cutting tool marks. This time I mixed some of the tools in the same square so as to achieve a contrast of marks.
I think these red examples are better than those in the black ink. Is it a better application of ink (after all the papers are the same), the contrast of marks? or which I think is the case; my confidence in using the tools and increasing my mark making techniques has added something more interesting to the prints.
Definitely the red ink has lifted better than the black, may be I’m getting the hang of the amount of ink needed, though having said that the below prints do look a tad wet, it will be interesting to see how they dry.
Trying out marks with tool L9/5. I am pleased with the swirls, though could be neater around the edges.
These are my practice marks with the tool I don’t like, L5/3. After seeking advice I am having some success, holding the tool low and making very shallow marks seems to be the way forward, though, some are still with torn edges. Others I’ve deliberatly moved around in a zigzag movement. The edges may seem a bit blurry in places but I think my ink was too wet! Solution, pull some of the ink first with a bit of newsprint!
Review project 5 – This has been an interesting introduction to my cutting tools and required techniques. I have used an on-line forum to seek advise when needed and am happier with my cutting techniques, especially with L5/3. I know that I still have a long way to go but the advice I receive is ‘keep practicing, keep cutting’.
BILLYDOOPRINT1 