Linocut printing is a relief printing technique, where an image is hand carved onto a piece of linoleum. Linoleum is made of rubber and linseed oil, backed with hessian. I draw a sketch and transfer it onto the linoleum. I use a selection of sharp tools to carve out my image. The tools I use are Pfiel and Flexcut. I use a roller to coat the linoleum block with good quality oil based ink. I take a test print by laying a piece of paper on top, and burnish it with a glass baren, applying an even pressure until the ink is transferred. For larger prints I use my hydraulic press from Lawrence Printmakers. I also use an antique Albion press in the Northern Print studio. The final prints are printed onto specialist paper. I use a selection, but predominantly Japanese Hosho paper, and Nepalese Lokta paper.
