Lino printing is something I have been experimenting with since my university course back in 2009. I find it an exciting process where you don’t really know what the final piece is going to look like until you pull the paper away from the block and turn it over in anticipation! Some times with a sigh of disappointment but sometimes with a gasp of ‘wow that one has really worked!’

I also enjoy how the materials themselves create effects and textures that I can’t control, each print is totally unique created partly by my artistic eye and care in carving out the design and partly by the nature of the ink, paper and lino itself. I definitely find you have to embrace the imperfections and accidents that are inevitable with such a process but it is these that help to create my own style and make each piece special and bespoke.


The process explained:

I create my lino prints by first sketching out my ideas for my chosen subject matter, often influenced by a sight I have seen whilst out walking the dog or just an animal or object that spurs my creativity. Once I have finalised my design in a drawing I trace it and transfer it to a piece of lino.

I then begin to cut away the areas I want to keep white, where I don’t want the ink to go. This is a time consuming process that takes care in carving out the details and concentration in trying to picture how it will look once printed. I often get a bit impatient, as I am too excited to see how the final piece will look!

Once I have finished the cutting away process it’s time to try the first print! I use a small hand held roller to apply a thin layer of printing ink to my lino block surface, I then lay on a piece of paper and press down by hand or rub over with a baren to transfer the ink to the paper. Then comes the exciting bit… I peel back the paper and turn it over to reveal my finished print!

After analysing my first print I often go back and cut away more from my lino block and print again to get it just right. Once happy with it I use a small printing press to print off a run of original prints that I have for sale in my shop. I sometimes add hand painted details to each one to add colour. I have also digitally reproduced some of my original prints to sell as greeting cards.