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Getting better at it

I’ve been studying linocuts on the net. I’ve been looking at other artist’s work and comparing it to my two attempts. (By the way, this is a path to disaster and I highly recommend not doing that, and soon I might even begin to listen to my own advice…lol)

So it occurs to me that the two designs I made are a bit flat and have no energy, no movement.

I know, I’ve only just started, but before you start to shake your head at me, let me explain. You see I strive for movement and energy in my paintings. If I can’t get movement in the subject them I go for light and the movement of light over the subject, so the linocuts feel a bit “flat” to me because I’ve only got that one colour ink to play with.

So Monday I took some time to draw some seed heads and weeds from the lane with a view to maybe cutting another piece of lino, and then posted this little pic on FB 🙂 :

001 copy

While I’m waiting for some lino and tools I ordered to arrive form a London company called Intaglio, I still had that difficult to cut larger piece I bought form the art supply store in Oxford and so took it to the Printmakers Cooperative and spent Tuesday there.

I sketched out elements of the design on the lino and borrowed some good tools and went to work.

IMG_3078 copy

This lino did get easier to cut on the hot plate, but it took me four and a half hours to cut the design and it’s really unrealistic to sit over a hot plate for that time, so it was the hard way.

IMG_3081 copy

After one hour…nope, still don’t like this lino but it isn’t going to get the better of me!

IMG_3082 copy

After four hours and a cramped hand! Almost done.

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After four and a half hours I really had to get going and so walked out of Oxford shaking my hand and flexing my fingers. Had to show you this photo…lol, seems like spandex has caught on big time round here.

IMG_3086 copy

So finally home and I ran up to the studio and inked my design and quickly printed it to see what I got.

I LIKE IT!

032 copy

Needs more finishing and needs more ink, but the idea of movement is there. I’m really happy with this third attempt and now I’ll play with that for a little while. 🙂

Comments: 7

  • August 14, 2013
    reply

    Beautiful work! Have you ever tried to use EZ carve? http://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-speedy-cut-carving-blocks/

    I use these with my students – much less wear and tear on your hands.

    BTW – I don’t think that anyone who wears above an extra small size should ever consider spandex a fashion option.

  • August 14, 2013
    reply

    I haven’t carved anything like this since my high school years. Would love to try it again if I still had the patience and attention span greater than that of a gnat.

    Spandex rocks on some gals and others not so much… LOL

  • August 14, 2013
    reply

    Yep, I like it too!! Especially love the curly pieces and texture of seed pods–pods are so amazing aren’t they? 🙂

  • August 14, 2013
    reply

    I have no clue what you did (not your fault, I’m sure you explained it well), but I really like the outcome! You captured the movement of these flowers beautifully!

  • August 15, 2013
    reply

    I feel them swaying in the breeze. Beautiful!

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