Linocut Relief Prints

Decades after I had begun exploring various printing methods, I settled on linocut relief printing as my primary outlet. Most printing I had tried were intentionally simplistic in their approach. The most complex being screen printing which I had done mainly on t-shirts for friends bands through the 1990’s. I knew how to do it, they needed it done. I still pull some screen prints occasionally, but have since found that the overall process of linocut reliefs to be more satisfying in terms of end to end productivity. Not to say this is a fast process, but overall the space between idea and final output can be significantly reduced if well prepared (tools, materials, inks etc). Ideas become sketches then drawings, which in turn is transferred to the block or linoleum (see my related Field Notes Blog entry). This is then carved using various pre-planned methodologies in order to successfully print multiples on paper, wood, or fabric (such as T-Shirts), rather quickly. The hands on D.I.Y approach lent itself well to my personal interest in our ability to reduce the barriers preventing a project from moving forward.

I have been experimenting with black and white, grayscale, and multi-colour printing using several blocks, as well as post and pre-colourization using gouache, watercolour or inks. Due to the rapid print nature of linocut printing, I was able to test different methodologies efficiently, resulting in print runs of unique artworks based on the same overprint.

Linocut relief prints are available for sale (as marked) or for custom orders. Each piece is a one of a kind artwork, made by hand by a human - me.