#19 - The Process

I have had several people ask me to describe the process of creating a multicolored linocut print, so I've decided to show my process more carefully for the Scorpion.

I took the sketch and made a final black and white drawing. I transferred that drawing onto two pieces of linoleum. I have switched to unmounted linoleum because it's far cheaper. I went to Tap Plastics and bought a few groovy bowling ball style plexiglass scraps. I used a temporary glue to bond the linoleum to the plexi. This is the first time I've tried this linoleum, and it's excellent. I bought it from McClain's Printmaking Supplies. It's from the Netherlands ("Oh, sir, I did not look so low.").

I am basically going to do two reduction prints to create piece. I can't print the hot yellow and red over blues. That just wouldn't work. Therefore, one block will provide the blues for the background, and the other will be the warm colors.

I will be doing three shades of blue. I've carved the first shade. I carved out the areas I want to leave white. I slapped a little ink on the plate so you can get the gist of it. This is not the color I will be printing first (it will be light blue).