Ocean Wave

One evening last week, I went to a beginner’s lino print workshop. It’s a craft that I’ve seen and fancied a go at but never had the opportunity to try. On seeing this seaside themed session advertised on Facebook, run by local artist Tom from Thirteen Eight, had some spaces, I booked myself in. 

At each position, there were a couple of pieces of lino, a cutting tool with a variety of blades, pencil, marker pen and tracing paper. 

After a quick briefing, we were encouraged to have a practice using the tools on the spare bit of lino. Limited by my lack of drawing skills, I attempted a holly leaf, trying to cut out both the positive and negative parts. 

I’d forgotten to Google lino print ideas before I went and had no signal when I was there but fortunately Tom had provided some drawings for us to copy or use as inspiration.  I chose a wave and started by tracing it and then transferring it to the lino.

The lino cutting then began in earnest. I started off a little tentatively with the smallest blade but soon got into the swing of things. 

It took me about 45 minutes, but I finally managed to have something I could make a trial print with. 

Some lino print ink was put into a tray and I used a brayer to spread it out evenly and thinly before applying it to the lino. The paper was placed on top,  pressed firmly and then peeled off.  

This gave me the chance to see if I had any stray areas that need more cutting before printing on to the proper paper. Applying the correct amount of paint is definitely a learned skill and makes the world of difference to the finished print. 

I really did enjoy the evening and fancy having another go at it.