Background

This assignment should utilize the skills you have employed in our previous assignment as well as develop new ones. The linocut method is a relief process in that the ink is not wiped on to the linoleum plate (or block) but is rolled on with a brayer. This restricts the ink to the high surfaces with anything lower (cut away) remaining the color of the paper (white). In simple terms, this means to leave an inked line, you must cut around it. Consequently, it takes some care and patience to maintain control as you cut the linoleum, especially if you want to obtain fine detail. Stark contrast, on the other hand is easy to obtain.

Criteria

You turn in 6 total final prints matted on white-matte board only (14×18):

Image A (3): linocut plate 1

* 1 b&w only
* 1 one-color only
* 1 two-colors gradient

Image B (3): linocut plate 2

* 1 b&w only
* 1 b&w, one-color monotype background
* 1 b&w, two-color monotype background

Open subject matter – it can run the gamut from completely nonobjective to faithful realism. The important thing to consider is the difficulty in cutting and the clarity of the image when reduced to stark positive and negative areas.

Source materials may include photographic references if desired.

You must plan and complete a preliminary drawing to scale before you can start cutting. The drawing can be in ink pen, marker, or acetone transfer. It should effectively simulate the finished print.

Calendar

Feb 06: brief, class discussion, start research
Feb 08-15: select images, trace them onto linocut, start cutting/proof printing
Feb 20: finish prints in b&w and various colors; matted
FEB 22: WEDNESDAY. PRESENTATION

Student Samples

by Blake Eagle

by Emily Fleming

by Jenny Tenbush

by Joanna Gaines

by Morgan Hallmark