The Lino Process
Hand-pulling Lino Prints
I create lino prints first by creating a sketch from a photograph that will be suitable for carving on to a lino printing plate. The sketch is transferred to the lino printing plate, then I precisely carve the design into the lino.
Each print is created entirely by hand, ink is rolled onto the printing plate and transferred onto paper using a baren tool. Prints are created one at a time. The result is that each print is unique with slight differences in pressure, ink transfer, and texture.
The Concept
My lino prints are inspired by life in the East Kootenays, living in Radium Hot Springs at the edge of the Columbia Valley, surrounded by the Purcell Mountains and Kootenay National Park. Combined with my passion for photography and outdoor adventure, this landscape shapes the creative direction of my work.
The Sketch
Because lino is an interpretive art and fine detail can challenging to carve, I work through several sketches using multiple source images before arriving at a final design. That final pencil sketch is then flipped over and the carbon from the pencil is burnished onto the lino printing plate as a guide for carving.
Carving
The sketch does not directly translate into the final lino carving. A highly detailed carving is an exacting process that can take several days, where each stroke with a V-gouge is permanent and a single slip can mean starting over.
Proofing
Once I’m satisfied with the carving, I pull an artist proof (AP), a single print used to inspect for flaws, imperfections, or overlooked areas. Using the AP as a guide, I refine the carving and pull additional proofs as needed until the block is ready for the final printing process.
Printing
Every part of the printing process gives each print its own unique look and feel, from the amount of ink on the roller to changes in humidity and subtle variations in hand pressure applied with the baren. To maintain quality, each print run is limited to approximately ten prints, as the lino plate begins to lose detail when ink starts to dry and fill in the carved areas. At that point, the plate and rollers must be thoroughly cleaned before the next run begins.
