Linocut Prints

For this project, I was inspired by the medium of the linoleum block. I was inspired between the stark contrast between light and dark that this medium offered. Whatever was carved away was light and whatever was left was dark. I wanted to use this as a way in which to make a rather dark piece. I wanted to do this because I think the extreme darkness coupled with extreme light really works for sad/disturbing art. I was in a way inspired by Kathe Kollwitz and her dark and sad prints. I wanted to depict a scene that doesn't make much sense and is kind of creepy. 

To create these artworks, I used a linoleum block, a breyer, a barron, linocut carving tools, block printing ink, drawing paper, india ink, and canvas. I used the linocut carving tools to carve out the block so I could print it. I used the breyer, parron, paper, and ink, to print the prints. I used the canvas to print on. I did this because I really like the texture of the canvas and the color. I also liked the way it went with the blue ink. 

In order to make this piece of art, I had to make a sketch. I then transferred this onto a linoleum block. I did this so that I could carve it out without looking at a reference. Once I had carved it out, I was ready to print. I started by printing on a proof sheet. I did this so that I could get a sense of what the final prints would look like. This helped me catch zny possible mistakes or flaws in the block. I then went ahead and printed 10 solid black prints, three purple and black, and four on canvas with blue ink. I made this many so I had a wide variety to choose from. One of these solid ones I chose to extend with india ink. I chose to make tears coming out of the skull and the person because I liked the strange, sad, and surrealist aspect of it.