Reduction- The process

1st reduction linocut of the new year!

The reduction, or 'suicide' method of linocutting uses a single piece of lino to produce a multi-colored print. The lino is gradually cut away as each color is printed and the image emerges. Sometimes only a very small printable area remains for the final, darkest tone. As the block is essentially destroyed during the process, a reduction print can never be reprinted.

In the above picture you can see my setup.

 From left to right:  Wooden spoon from IKEA or barren-Critical to hand pull a print. I use the back of the spoon to burnish the paper over the linoleum. I prefer a spoon because I can use the edge or the flat back and really get a good pull out of it.  although its more of a workout.  Register Jig-I use this to line up every print I pull.  You can see the battleship gray linoleum in its place.  Ink- I only use oil based Caligio inks (easy clean up, its worth the extra shipping)  Brayer or roller- I use this to roll my ink on the linoleum.  These come in different sizes and hardness but this is my go to one. Palette knife - Used to mix ink and spread on my palette surface. I also use a clean palette knife to move my inked block into place.  Its not always easy to move things around all covered in ink!  Plexi-glass palettes- I use these to roll my ink and mix my ink. 2 different sizes works well for me, I have found to ask at framing stores for scraps to use.  

Here is the linoleum all inked up and ready to print its first run!

 The first run printed...

Such a fun process!

I will let these dry and revisit next week for the second run.

Have a great weekend!

~Jane