Andrea Becker, "Illuminations of the Earth"
Relief Printing: Making A Linoleum Print
What is a Relief print?
A relief print is one in which the image is
printed from the raised portions of a block, with the unprinted area having
been cut away. This process will produce a reverse image from the block to
the print. A simple example would be a rubber stamp. The most common relief
prints are woodcuts, although many artists use linoleum.
1. Relief prints reverse the image from the block to the print.
2. Relief prints are often used for persuasion or to send a message!
The Process:
Step One: Start by creating a drawing or design that is the precise size of the piece of linoleum you will be using. (This can most easily be accomplished by laying the piece of linoleum you will be using onto a sheet of clean white drawing paper and tracing around the edges.)
Step Two: Trace your design onto a piece of tracing paper.
Step Three: Transfer your design onto your linoleum by placing the tracing face down onto the linoleum and firmly drawing over the lines.
Step Four: Cut away the negative spaces (those spaces that will not be printed), leaving the areas that will print (positive areas).