Linocut: A Creative Guide to Making Beautiful Prints

by Sam Marshall

A step-by-step guide on how to create personal and contemporary linocut prints.

A linocut is a relief print created by carving a design into a printing block. It is the uncut surface, not the carved away areas, that gives you your image when you roll it with ink, lay paper on top then apply pressure to produce a print.

With 18 easy-to-follow projects that can be adapted to suit your own ideas, experienced printmaker Sam Marshall guides you through the whole process – from the drawing to the carving to the inking to the printing – of creating your own beautiful prints and handmade cards whether you are working from your kitchen table or a more advanced studio set-up.

By taking inspiration from everyday life, Sam helps you to build your confidence with observational drawing. Featuring step-by-step projects, the book demonstrates a range of skills with low-cost materials to produce simple linocuts, reduction linocuts and colourful multi-block prints. You will also learn more experimental techniques such as combining monoprint, chine collé, jigsaw linocuts and rainbow rolls and pick up handy tips on subjects such as 'noise' and editioning your prints.

Beautifully illustrated with photographs of Sam's own drawings and linocuts, and featuring the work of 5 talented printmakers, Linocut is an essential guide to linocut printmaking. Packed with creative and practical advice to guide and encourage you, whether you're just starting out, returning to the craft or looking to expand your printmaking skills.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

176 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2023

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The text in this book was frustrating to read. Small text in a light grey on a white page, you needed strong light to see it and I can't imagine this being easy to use whilst referring to it as a step by step guide to printmaking.

This might be useful if you had never come across the idea of linocuts before but otherwise I'm not sure how helpful this would be. I took this out of the library having previously used linocut, screen prints, shincole, monoprint, and collagraph. I can't imagine someone coming to this having never experienced any printmaking, if you haven't I would suggest an evening class, as it's so much better to see what someone is doing than read step by step instructions.

I found much of it self evident, even if you hadn't printed before - this print has too much ink... This print doesn't have enough ink... Draw a picture first.....

[Tea and Spite · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fine enough if you've literally never heard of linocut before. Rather lacking if you aren't a complete idiot who can't infer basic concepts like how to apply ink to a carved block. The "assignments" are along the lines of "make a nature carving". Useful if you're suffering creative block, but at that point you'd be better off running a search for generic art prompts. No discussion of design or use of negative space or otherwise how to reimagine a multi-colour, multi-dimensional world into a flat, single colour image. Marshall very much seems one of those artists who instinctively knows what to do and therefore makes a terrible instructor.

[GB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really gentle and encouraging tone that is perfect for anxious beginners.

[hope h. · Rating 3 out of 5]

a quick read that had a few useful tips but was overall a bit too shallow of an overview to really be helpful? i also didn't love how it was laid out/written - imo too much time was devoted to tutorials and repetitive step by step instructions. i did really enjoy the interviews with various printmakers, though, and for a complete beginner this would be a solid guide!

some tips i thought were helpful:
- when sharpening your gouges, apply sharpie to the bevel before stropping so that you can clearly see if you missed any spots
- for a simple two color print (when using japanese vinyl or speedycarve), simply flip the block over and ink the uncarved side with a colorful ink, then print the linework as usual.
- to see your cuts more clearly as you carve, sprinkle talcum powder over the block and rub it in so it sinks into the marks.
- a faster way to see how your print is coming along (instead of proofing) is taking a rubbing - laying a sheet of paper over the block and rubbing a soft pencil over it

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on linocut

I am studying printmaking at the moment and this book has been excellent as an ’extra’ teacher at home. Sam is a teacher at The Royal Drawing School and this book reflects that high standard of teaching.
Sometimes printmaking, especially relief methods, can be difficult to get your head around. This aspect is addressed in such an accessible manner.
Highly recommended!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful book for new and intermediate printmakers. It covers the basics (materials, studio setup, mark making, editioning) through step-by-step instructions for various printing approaches (reductive, multi-block printing, registration methods). There are handy exercises in each chapter, interviews with other printmakers, and encouragement at the end (we are all artists).
How would I improve the book?
1. Make it spiral bound so it could lay flat, and
2. Use black ink and a slightly bolder font for the text. It’s currently so light a font and not dark enough - it can be difficult to read (not just because I’m of a certain age). Wish I could post a pix here to show you. Nevertheless, 5 stars for content and usefulness!

[Marie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. Everything i need to start lino printing. Exercises to follow, with help and guidance. Easy to follow. Loved it. X

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Beautiful book! I might challenge myself to complete every project this summer break. 🫶🏻

[Trish Graboske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does an excellent job of covering most of what I also learned in a four-month printmaking course recently.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really just assumes that everyone knows how to draw or has a basic understanding of what makes for a good drawing. Bing bang boom! Just go outside and draw something and then carve it!

[Tarsila Krüse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Sam Marshall is an absolute delight. Marshall is a talented artist and printmaker with a positive attitude, and her book did not disappoint.

In her book, Marshall provides detailed guidance for both beginners and experienced printmakers on Linocut art. She covers everything from selecting the right tools to generating ideas, warming up, setting achievable goals, and giving clear step-by-step instructions on various Linocut projects. The book allows readers to use their creativity and ideas to create their unique Linocut art as well.

The book also features four interviews with other printmakers, offering readers insights into different processes and perspectives on the art. However, the only downside of the book was the light grey printing of the type, which sometimes disappeared on the shiny paper in bright light.

Finally, Marshall concludes the book with some heartfelt and honest advice for anyone with creative ambitions. She encourages readers to call themselves artists, embrace imperfection, build up their confidence and have fun along the way.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in visual arts, printmaking, and linocutting.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully photographed with detailed images of how to if you're looking to get started. Unfortunately for me I don't need another hobby but just wanted a little more information about this creative process. The cover is beautiful by the way. All the detailed images are so fun. Sam really made this a stupid simple intro guide to linocut.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've booked myself onto a beginners linocut workshop and I thought I'd read this first. Now I'm scared to go. It was particularly the bit where she wrote about accidentally cutting part of her finger off. The artwork from the author and guests is absolutely beautiful. I'm just scared, that's all.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic introduction and guide to getting started with linocut printing at home.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent information, instructions and very open ended projects.

[Janieke Koops · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide for linocutting!!! I learned a lot from this book

[Keith Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond my skills, but fascinating to see how it's done. The instructions were clear and detailed.

[Chelsea Conwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

More suited for the beginner printmaker, but there were some neat techniques for projects that were very well explained and illustrated.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

general technique overview. information on multi block prints

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an excellent book for beginners or someone returning to printing. Calm, full of good advice and gorgeous examples.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had always done linocut on this typical grey material with old tools. Imposed at school and so challenging to come up with something nice. This book goes through every step. A thorough chapter on materials, exercises to start, techniques for multicoloured projects, experimental printmaking and, at the end of the book, even a page on regular practice and finding motivation. Sam has reconciled me with linocut to the point where it has nearly become an obsession. Thank you, Sam. I am enjoying this so much.

https://redheadwithabrain.ch/index.ph...