You can carve almost any design onto a piece of lino. Where-ever you decide to carve will not print (treat this as the negative space) Tip: it's easier to try and carve the lino in a linear motion (see image to the left).
Once you've decided on the
theme of your print (depending on your current interests and project) you
should start to think about the colour scheme you wish to use. I have been
working on a man-made collection project and because my objects are mechanical
forms I have decided to use dark and urban colours. To best achieve this I have
stained some fabric with Quink ink (can buy from any good stationary shop –
this is ink for fountain pens). To experiment with a different approach to
printmaking and rather than using printing inks I thought bleach could also
transfer the lino image. As Qunik ink is dark rolling bleach onto the fabric
would make the positive shapes light and bleach out the Quink. Wear gloves at ALL TIMES,
label the bleach and always contain in a GLASS JAR. Some areas of the fabric when bleached can leave
some orange patches which just adds to the 'Urban' effect.
The bleached print (can be used on fabric dyed with Quink
ink or Brusho inks - none permanent dyes) the lino print has been printed twice
- note how I have carved half the cog which when lined up and printed twice can
create a whole cog and is a mirror image.
