I now have some of my images linocut and digital on Redbubble. With Cyber Monday there is now 25% off.
My shop is under  http://bit.ly/Stitchworksredbubble 

I previously put this image of a linocut , now called Angel Boy, on the blog when I was talking about how great the Xcut is for printing. Here it is as a digital image. Fun to see it on a range of products.

Lino cut and the Xcut

I am still enjoying using the Xcut, and if you have ever wanted to do some printing but been put off by the price of expensive presses I would highly recommend it. ‘Handprinted’ in the UK is the place to go for an extended bed and felt blanket. On Facebook there is a group especially for the Xcut and there is also Lino cut Friends, where you can see some professional prints and get lots of tips and advice. I am using my dremel to make some marks and I am sure it has more potential for this.

This will be a post short on words but ask if you want to know anything about the process.

I went to a workshop at our local museum which was linked to an exhibition of paintings from Southampton Museum called ‘The Romantic Thread’.  Asked to come up with an image after a tour of the paintings and a talk, I decided on a contemporary angel. This was thought to be a creative idea but lacking in execution. I agree and when I took it into lino cut I  didn’t like the facial expression; I may redo that. The prints are my first try at mono-print with linocut.

I have also made a three block print using a drawing made from a family photograph.

So it goes on, endless fun at the moment, made easier by clean up using baby wipes, less ink and Reeves Tear-off Palettes. Caligo Safe Wash ink cleans up easily, but you do need to get into a routine,unless you want a very messy bathroom.

Xcut

I have continued to enjoy using the Xcut and improving my knowledge of linocut. ‘Lino-cut Friends’ on Facebook is a good source of information and inspiration; of course the Xcut now has its own group. What have I learned in my experiments? I like using the green Japanese vinyl, which I find much easier to cut than traditional lino or easy cut. I don’t like the tins of Calico Safe Wash, which seem to develop a skin almost immediately; beware if you buy the larger amounts as it comes in a tin rather than the tube. I had a go at masking  part of an image which was quite successful. 

 After watching a video on mono print and linocut on You Tube, I intend to experiment much more with that approach. The artist I watched is Favianna Rodriguez, who gives a very generous insight into her process. I found a sketch book image and adapted that, with plenty of white space to show the mono-print through.I have bought two small rollers which I think will help. I also made some marks with my dremel, which has potential for more trials.

You need plenty of wipes to clean up and it can be a messy process in the bathroom sink. I now know to use less ink which makes the clean-up less daunting.

Does anyone in the UK know where to obtain small sheets of Plexiglas?
Just for fun another 'icolorama' image.

Linocut on the Xcut

I have continued having fun with the Xcut and trying to improve my cutting marks. I have bought some new Calico Safe Wash inks and I only had a tin of black left from a long time ago and it had formed a skin (this is apparently a well known hazard). I have used Soft Cut and now some Japanese Vinyl, which I like.

I have been going to a weekly drawing class and so decided to use some of my sketches as linocut inspiration.

Drawing scanned and reversed; I have given them each a flower for fun.

Original block

Trying to roll on two colours.

Then some cheat images, taking the prints into Icolorama app and changing the colours and background. Just for the fun of it.

L'Artishe Gallery

L’Artishe Gallery in Swanage is currently exhibiting its popular Cube Show. The opening get together is on March 4^th; unfortunately we will not be there until a couple of weeks’ time. If you are in the area do support the gallery by paying a visit.

 I put in a small weaving called ‘Strandline’ having added to it some small pebbles with holes which I found along Swanage beach.

I have continued my experiments with mark making in linocut using the Xpress Xcut to print. I am pleased with how my vocabulary of marks is growing. I added colour with watercolour having seen how someone on line tinted their prints. Lots to learn.

Xpress Xcut

I think I came across this link to Annie Day's printing blog on pinterest; like many I quickly became obsessed with getting one of these little machines, the Xpress Xcut. It's intended use is for cutting out shapes and embossing for paper crafts, a mystery to me, but low and behold it can be used as a poor man's printing press.I have tried it with a lino block I had and with a speedy cut block. It worked straight away. I have used water based block printing ink and added a piece of felt.

My prints are a bit rough but on line you can see some print artists who have had excellent results. It is so much easier than rubbing with a spoon or a barren. I got mine from The Range, which delivered quickly; initially I ordered from the cheapest firm on line but they came back to say out of stock.

I thought I would continue to use my view of South Lea Meadow before it is built over. As you see from the plackards most people here are protesting against the attempt to destroy the village, and my husband was even on TV with fellow protesters.

I am continuing with learning to weave on the small loom; this is inspired by a frosty day when the ice never really melted in the field. Since my fall last year such days are only good for looking out on.