Betty’s Hen (work in progress part II)

I’ve now flipped the sketch, and traced it onto the lino. I find this stage quite satisfying as I get to see the pared down version of the design and this is usually a better reflection of the final print than my often overworked sketches. I also like the look of the white tracing on the pale grey lino.

The I can at last start cut and carving. I like this kind of design because it is still quiet creative at the cutting stage. Then because I had decided on a two colour print (and was too stingy to use to separate sheets of lino) I had to cut the hen out without spoiling the “background” lino so that I can ink and print from them one by one. This felt like bloomin’ hard work and I have big burst blisters on my fingers where the grip on my knife cut into my skin – I will not be skimping on lino again!  Off to recover with a glass of red. 

No ink yet but....

I rather like this. For my sea urchin print I am planning to make the most of the malleability of the Hahnemuhle paper to emphasis the little nodules. I just wanted to check that the relief created from each of the three individual lino plates wouldn’t clash to much. This test blind print is the result and I’m really pleased with the crispness of the relief. It could look great mounted with some directional lighting on it.