Anita Klein: Linocut

Linocut

Anita Klein

Lino is a material manufactured from linseed oil and, when warmed, is much easier to cut than wood, not having a grain and being softer. It is possible, therefore, to cut smoother and more precise lines. Colour linocuts can be made either by making multiple blocks and printing one colour from each, or by the reduction method where one colour at a time is printed, and then the lino plate further altered for the next colour.

'Making a linocut in 10 or 11 colours is like slowly building up a painting. Each colour reacts with those underneath it and throws up surprises which suggest the next colour. The whole process is an absorbing game with its own rules which just ask to be broken.'

Read on to learn how Anita Klein uses to linocut to create her own artworks.

Step 1: Cutting grooves in a piece of lino. The cut lines will remain clean while the raised surface is covered in ink

Step 2: Lino cut into two pieces which are inked separately then put together for printing

Step 3: Rolling ink onto a piece of cut lino. The raised, uncut surface holds the ink, while the cut areas will not print

Step 5: The two pieces of lino on the bed of the printing press, being removed after printing

Step 6: After printing two more colours on top of red, black and brown; already printed and dry. The print will need to dry before adding three more colours in one more layer