Stamp it here!

Printmaking Patterns (Part 2)

So here we go from drawing to printing… but WAIT! You need to carve out your stamp. Traditionally, you can trace your designs onto the linoleum but what I had done was transfer digital/printed image with a little concoction packaged by Lola Lusa. Her Printing Soda (below) contains acetone (y’know that chemical to remove nail polish) therefore, it is advisable to put on some gloves before making any attempts.

So as in the previous post, I noted that your design can be illustrated using AI to have a better finish. I had used regular printing for this project. (Below) The results was just as how I had wanted! A clear impression to work as a guide to carve out my block.

As my design was fairly intricate, there are some parts that I do admit were too small to carve through without damaging the other lines. So as I carved, I had to improvise my design and once, I was satisfied with my block (below), I started to prep for my printing. BUT WAIT!!! I nearly forgot my stencil design.

So for my stencil design, I designed to explore with the shape of a gold fish. So after sketching my design out, I began to slice out the inner areas as that was the area in which, I intended to have my pattern visibly seen. Personally, my only worry was if the design would be captured in the smaller corners near the fin and the fish tail…. (you’d see later that my worry did come into effect)

Now that I am done, its time to prep my ink for printing. For most of my linocut printing, I love using Daler Rowney’s System3 products (above) – here I am using the acrylic and Block Printing Medium (Water Soluble). My reason for loving this line is simply due to the fact that it is really easy to clean-up, however, you will need lots of practice before you can get the correct mixture. As for me, I go by an equal measure of a single teaspoon pour of acrylic and the medium. The tedious part comes when rolling the ink.

Test printing your block is always the best way to determine if it needs more carving or your ink needs more rolling. So be patient and keep trying till you get a very smooth and thin layer. That’s when you know that you ARE ready to print!

Here I have aligned the stencil above my drawing block and secured it to my cutting mat just so to avoid it from shifting as I tile-print my design. Since I do not own a printing press (nor have I taken the time to DIY one), I am going to stick to just using my strength to try as hard as possible to make sure that all the prints receive an equal pressure

The finishing was pretty good on the first try but like my initial worry, some of the print was not captured in the small corners. This was due to my error in using a drawing block as a stencil. Nonetheless, I made a second attempt (during my in-class demo) and this time the stencil was made out of art card.

Yes! This time it was a better result!

I wonder what and how your designs might be! Do share some of your attempts if you dare to try~

#art #fineart #printmaking #printmakingart #printmakingadventure #linocut #patternmaking #designprinciples #dalerrowney #dalerrowneysystem3 #system3 #blockprintingmedium