Carving linoleum. The printmaking process as I have come to know it, in 7 steps.
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Freedom. I like to use on average 3 pen weights. Middle (03,) for the outlines, Superfine (005), for the detailing and Thick (08), to fill in the black. I prefer to use one sketchbook at a time rather than random pieces of paper. My inspiration could be a number of things, but for the most part this process is made up of a mechanical movement of the wrist and a desire to be in the moment.
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Discipline. After selecting a sketch I redraw it with permanent markers onto the linoleum as a mirror image of the initial drawing. I use your run of the mill standard floor covering linoleum, which is inexpensive and can be bought by the meter. Its' drawbacks are that it has to be fully sanded and then painted with primer. Every detail must be meticulously drawn in and all shortcuts avoided.
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Willpower. I mostly use Speedballs' Linocutter no.1 which is very thin and I can get in all the fine details. Each line is carved on average 3 times, making sure it is smooth and linear. Some carvings can take up to 3 months from start to finish. Strength in the shoulder muscles and complete concentration at all times is essential. Each wondering thought could rear itself into a slip of the wrist and a mistake undone.
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Precision. The paper I buy is 100% cotton and is sold in 100 cm x 70 cm pieces. The weight varies according to what I am printing. Usually 130 grams all the way to 400 grams for postcard sizes. This tedious process is made up of counting numbers and cutting in straight lines, always alert for straying blades and oblivious fingers.
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Patience. I like to use water-based printmaking ink which makes it easy to wash off the linoleum after. The paint must be spread evenly over the brayer (roller) and then passed onto the linoleum, making sure every part of the printable area is covered and vagrant smudges wiped off with cotton wool. This can take from 5-15 minutes.
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Strength. Once the paper is carefully laid onto the linoleum I steady the sides with paper tape to make sure it doesn't move. A slight jolt of the paper could result in a double print. I use a tool called a baren to 'rub' the paper with even circular movements. It can take from 5 minutes for a small print up to an hour for a big one.
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Joy. With two fingers I gently hold two sides of the paper, steadily pull it off the linoleum and with two clothes pegs hang it up. The average time it takes to dry completely is 3-4 days depending on the weather. The linoleum can take another two prints from here on before it begins clogging. At this point the linoleum is washed and laid upside down to dry. Time to call it a day.
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