Linoleum Prints

The main subject of this artwork is an axe, with a small mountain range, and vines. The setting is a cityscape with interesting lines to fill the background and act as the sky. These prints were all made from the same linoleum block; which I had designed on a piece of drawing paper, then transferred to the linoleum using the graphite transfer method. I then carved out the design with linoleum tools to create the desired look. Finally, ink was rolled onto the block and placed onto a piece of paper before pressing it down with a ridiculously expensive, metal rolling pin. To create the different prints I either used different colored inks, a different kind of paper, or modified it with watercolor paints. I chose to create this artwork because for the past few projects I have done a nature or outdoors themed project and have enjoyed doing it more. The specific elements and principles that I used in this project were line, value, texture, contrast, pattern, and space. This artwork is arranged more towards the center with the axe being the focal point.

The composition rules and techniques that I used in this project were formal balance since although there is some other background stuff, I created the axe to be the main point in the center of the print. The other one I used was a low horizon line putting the buildings all the way at the bottom to create a large space of sky. This project evolved in a lot of ways since in the original sketch I hadn't quite decided what I wanted white and what I wanted black so I kind of went as I carved, and during this carving process I decided to add a secondary border to make the inside one more apparent, I took out the small man climbing up the ladder on the axe, and added in the lines in the background to make the print more interesting.

The meaning behind this artwork is that people should be getting out into nature more often. Originally I had a man, which I ended up leaving out, doing this very thing by climbing up the ladder, escaping from the life in the city with the dark smoggy sky, into the thinner clearer air of the mountains as the black slowly disappears more and more, and for me the axe/vines helped to pull this idea all together. This project relates to my life because I try to do this myself and get out into the outdoors more often, but am often dragged down by a load of work such as this, just like the man with the heavy backpack would be experiencing. At this stage I am satisfied with how the prints turned out being simple while still interesting and engaging to look at.