Creative Linocut Linocut printing is an excellent printmaking technique for the novice. Start with some coasters.

Easy to cut, it simplifies block preparation and produces strong, graphic images where the essential details of the design have been thrown into relief. Your work will have characteristics quite different from paintings or drawings.

Tip: Do not use modern vinyl flooring lino as it's too hard to cut and too inflexible. Tiles with hessian backing are available from art supply shops.

Placemats: To make placemats measure 29.5 x 21cm - an A4 sized piece of paper.

You'll need:
30 x 30cm, 3mm-thick lino tile with hessian backing
Craft knife
A4-sheet carbon paper
Waterproof felt-tipped pen
V and U shaped lino-cutting tools
A4-size sheets of hot pressed water-colour paper
10cm roller, oil-based black ink
Sheet of glass or piece of acetate
Palette knife
New tablespoon
Watercolours
Artist's brushes and a 3cm craft brush (sponge or bristle)
Sealer (such as Liquitex)
Large piece of coarse sandpaper (slightly bigger than lino tile)
Masking tape
4 pieces of 3mm craftwood, cut to measure 10 x 10cm
600-grade sandpaper
PVA glue
Clag

Here's how:

Step 1
Use craft knife to cut lino tile to size. Use a metal ruler and score a line through the lino, bend the lino out, breaking it cleanly along cut. With lino still folded back, cut through hessian backing with scissors or craft knife.

Step 2
Use carbon paper to transfer enlarged g design (right) onto lino tile. Remove pattern and carbon paper and go over the design on the tile with a waterproof pen.

Step 3
Tape sandpaper, coarse side up, to the work top and place lino tile on top. The sandpaper will grip the tile's hessian backing and prevent it slipping when cut.

Step 4
Use the V tool to establish the fine outlines. Hold the tool with the V uppermost and guide it with thumb and forefinger. Try to keep the hand holding the tile behind the cutting hand to avoid cutting yourself. Move the V tool easily and evenly next to the traced line to describe the outline and fine details of the design.

Step 5
Once the outline and detail has been established, use the U tool to gouge away the 'white' areas. Gouging will retain some relief texture in the design which will print in ink, adding interest.

Step 6
Cover work surface with newspaper. Squeeze a small amount (about 1/2 tsp) of ink onto the glass or acetate, spread it with a palette knife. Roll the roller across ink, working outwards until the ink forms a thin, even coating on the roller. Roll the ink onto the surface of the linocut, working in all directions and coating it evenly.

Step 7
Place the inked tile face up on the newspaper. Spray the watercolour paper finely with water, allow it to be absorbed into the paper for a minute or two, then carefully position it over the inked tile. Apply pressure to the back of the paper with the rounded part of a tablespoon.

Tip: Use a shiny new spoon as a scratched spoon may tear the paper.

Rub firmly and evenly all over the back of the paper for five minutes to ensure that all areas of the design are printed. Carefully lift one side of the paper to check the progress of the printing, replace and continue rubbing if necessary. When happy, set print aside to dry thoroughly. Re-ink the linocut and repeat for other prints; there is no need to clean the block between applications.

Step 8
Use watercolours and an artist's brush to colour the"print, blending the colours to create subtleties in colour and dimension. When dry, seal both sides of the paper with sealer, such as Liquitex.

Step 9
Sand the timber placemats well, particularly the edges. Seal both sides with sealer. Allow to dry.

Step 10
Make up a glue solution of two-parts Clag to one-part PVA. Apply to back of the coloured print and to the surface of the placemat Carefully position. the paper on the placemat and, working from the centre out, smooth out excess glue and air bubbles with fingertips. Set aside to dry.

Step 11
When completely dry, seal front and back of coasters with two coats sealer.

Tips

To make cutting easier (especially in winter) gently warm the lino to soften it.

If you accidentally cut away a piece of the design you meant to retain, keep the piece and glue it back when you've completed the cutting.

Too much or too little ink on the stamp is no good. The correct amount of ink will emit a slight hissing sound as it's rolled onto the acetate or glass.

To proof the image once it's cut, place a piece of thin paper over the design and rub with a soft led pencil. This will show whether you've achieved a good balance between the positive and negative areas. From: Better Homes and Gardens TV June 1997.