AROUND HOME : Linoleum-Block Printing
PRINTING CAN BE typed words or photographs on paper, or reproductions of finger paintings and crayon rubbings; after all, why should first-graders have all the fun? More sophisticated efforts involve woodcut printing and silk screening, but a good adult-size beginning project is linoleum-block printing. Admittedly, this is not the sexiest craft these days; linoleum-block printing seems to be popular only with serious artists and grade-school kids. A sad state of the art.
Still, this is a good time of year to learn linoleum-block printing; it lends itself particularly well to Christmas cards (or birthday cards or party invitations any time). The essentials--linoleum blocks (mounted or unmounted), tracing paper, carbon paper, inks, cutting tools, a tiny paint roller and an instrument used to rub the paper onto the inked block--will cost about $40. Special paper and envelopes are available, even a printing press for those with a very long Christmas-card list.
Words and numbers are arguably the most difficult elements in a design because they have to be etched in mirror image in order to come out right when printed. It is not easy to sketch, freehand, a backward number 5, for instance; it should be drawn in the usual way on sheer paper, the paper reversed and the design traced onto the block with carbon paper (most designs can be drawn directly onto the linoleum block before the carving begins). The basic tenet to keep in mind at all times: Cut away the part that should not be printed--unless the design is to be reversed out of a printed background.
About safety: The gouging tool may not look as lethal as an X-Acto knife, but it can do significant damage. Do not hold the block with one hand while you cut with the other hand. If you do, you will gouge the holding hand. You have my guarantee on that.
Most classes in linoleum-block printing are offered as part of general printmaking classes; these are sometimes available (telephone for class schedules) at Learning Tree University in Chatsworth, Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Santa Monica College in Santa Monica and El Camino Community College in Torrance. Linoleum-block printing supplies, most manufactured by Speedball, a division of Hunt Manufacturing Co. Inc., are available at Art Supply Warehouse in Westminster; H.G. Daniels in Los Angeles; Swain’s in Glendale; Walser’s in Torrance; Continental Art Supply in Reseda, and Carter Sexton Artist Materials in North Hollywood.