This month we’re excited to showcase 10 stunning linocut prints created by a selection of the talented members of our Official People of Print community. From botanical-inspired designs, to cartoons and horror films, our members have brought a wonderful array of themes and illustrations to the medium.
Tom Boulton: F-Press – The Printers Fist
Over the years, printmaker Tom Boulton has become increasingly obsessed with the printers fist. The original is well over a hundred years old and carved in wood. “It’s battered and warped, but it’s a lovely thing and a part of printing history,” says Tom. During the pandemic, he started developing a printing press that was made with 3D printers and a CNC machine. Wanting to create a press that was new, exciting, colourful, and modern, Tom decided to run a crowdfunder to develop the concept. Needing something to print on his new press, he once again turned to the printer’s fist, creating an oversized version in lino.
Dave Lefner: Chevy Biscayne
This 10-colour reduction linocut of a 1959 Chevy Biscayne was commissioned by one of Dave Lefner’s friends to commemorate his first car. “Vintage cars are always fun because of the sleek designs and lots of chrome, but this was a bit of a challenge to create dimension with such a pale coloured car,” comments the printmaker. It took 5 colour stages just for the body, and was complete after 28 days! The print measures 40in x 24in (101.6cm x 60.96cm) and is an edition of 5.
Benjamin Wurster: Leafy House Plants
In 2019, while searching for beautiful plant illustrations, printmaker Benjamin Wurster discovered an original copy of the botanical encyclopedia Zimmerblattpflanzen by Udo Dammer, published in 1899. Immediately inspired by the 46 beautiful illustrations that the book contained, Benjamin decided to use them as a template for his own linocuts. He enlarged the illustrations, combined them with striking colour areas, and placed them in a new, modern layout. Thus, over the course of a year, 12 individual linocuts in various formats (A6 to A3) were created.
Margaret Mallows: Foggy Shard
Foggy Shard is one of Margaret Mallows’ largest lino prints, with a lino size of 67.5 x 32 cm. The piece is a 23-colour reduction print printed using Japanese vinyl on 300gsm Somerset satin with Schmincke artist’s inks. Margaret describes “It was a real challenge to do but I loved the contrast between the soft greys of buildings in the fog, and the bright colours of Tower Bridge in the foreground”. The disappearing look of The Shard in the fog was achieved with careful wiping of the ink each time a different colour was applied.
EneArtworks: In Space No One Can Hear You Scream
Enea specialises in the creation of horror linocuts and fan-art. His passion for cinema led him to create several linocuts inspired by his favourite movies. Alien’s Xenomorph is the protagonist of his latest effort. “I think it is a creature that due to his aesthetic and physical features adapts very well to the linocut style,” says Enea. In this illustration he wanted to insert as many details as possible to give depth and thickness to the composition. Getting lost in the details is one of the most beautiful features of this technique. Enea is currently working on bringing together all of his cinema-themed illustrations in a single Risograph artbook.
Haychley Webb: Connect
Connect is a limited edition linocut print exploring the relationship between women and nature by Haychley Webb. The piece was inspired by the little moments that she experiences in nature that make her feel connected to the natural world. In the print, Haychley used negative space to maximum effect in order to make the subject’s flowing dress and the butterfly the focus of the piece. She also purposely carved a minimal amount of grass around her to let the solid green colour do the rest of the talking.
Cally Conway: Persephone
Linocut artist, Cally Conway, was invited to take part in the #imprintedinvitational and produce a print based on the theme of ‘Circle’. Her lino print is inspired by the Greek myth of Persephone, and her connection to the season. The composition symbolises the cyclical nature of the seasons, and is based on traditional May wreaths. Contained in the circular wreath shapes are plants and flowers associated with her; narcissi, violets, and wheat.
Rach Lloyd: Parsley The Lion
Parsley the Lion is a character from Ivor Wood and Michael Bond’s stop motion series The Herbs, first broadcast in 1968. This print by Rach Lloyd was made for the Thought Press Project, in which 100 printmakers made linocuts to raise money for Mind Charity and Heart Felt Tips. “When asked to make a print based on the theme of ‘childhood memories and nostalgia’, I thought of ‘The Herbs’ being memorable and vivid, eerie but fascinating,” explains Rach. This 5 colour, 3 block print is a response to finding the programme strange, unusual, and enchanting. The piece is a memory-based portrait of Parsley’s textured coat, wiry whiskers, and unforgettable sidewards glances.
Madeleine Wiering: Peony
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This linoleum reduction print by Madeleine Wiering of Papillon Press was printed as a “puzzle print”, meaning Madeleine used two blocks of linoleum, making it a bit simpler to print two colours at a time. First, she drew the design and transferred it to the linoleum. She then carved the first layer, and cut the two puzzle pieces apart. Next, Madeleine printed the first layer, carved the second, and finally printed the second layer. The piece is printed on handmade lokta paper from Nepal in a limited edition of 20.
Amy Mathews: Summer Sway
This 9×12″ linocut print by Amy Mathews is inspired by the sounds and smells of lush greenery swaying in the warm summer breeze. The brushstroke effect was created by hand painting acrylic ink onto the block and using the organic brush textures in the final print. Summer Sway was hand burnished onto mulberry paper and produced in an edition of 20.
Browse more incredible work by our community at www.members.peopleofprint.com. Our membership programme celebrates all forms of print and design both creatively and industriously. Want to become a Verified POP Member? APPLY HERE
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