Black & White Relief Cards

Black & White Relief: Winter Scene Cards Challenge: Create a set of 4 winter scene cards using the linocut printing technique. Also create packaging for them as if they would be sold in a store. Vocabulary: Linocut is a printmaking technique, a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum (sometimes mounted on a wooden block) is used for the relief surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a reversal (mirror image) of the parts to show printed. The cut areas can then be pulled from the backing. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller (called a brayer), and then impressed onto paper or fabric. The actual printing can be done by hand or with a press. Materials: Linoleum, linoleum cutters, ink, paper Phase 1 –Planning Introduction: PowerPoint & Examples Research multiple designs for your image for the card, include images from other artist, images that inspire you Brainstorm & Draw 5-6 well developed drawings exploring animals, winter scenes 3 designs of different animals 2 designs of different backgrounds for the animal 3-4 samples of texture/pattern/ embellishments to make the image look more 3d/ more life like Finalize image Draw out image in exact size and proportion of linoleum block Color in image with black marker what you want to be printed black, leaving the white areas what you will cut out with the linoleum tools. Demonstration: Transferring your image to the linoleum block Transfer image to linoleum block Dimensions & Requirements: 4 x 6 inch block image of a winter scene with an animal in it no text texture/pattern/ embellishment within image enhancing the animal & scene an edition of 4 prints Phase 2 – Cutting After transferring the image, color in the areas you wish to keep black with a black marker Demonstration: How to use the linoleum cutting tools Practice cutting: use the back of your block to practice cutting using the cutting tools Begin to carefully carve away the areas you did not color in with the black marker. Remember: • Always carve away from yourself • Keep your non-cutting hand behind your cutting hand on the linoleum or on the table. • Carve slowly, so you do not slip and carve in areas you wish to keep. Phase 3 – Printing Demonstration: Setting up the inking station How to roll out ink (and how we share space) How to ink your block How to print your block Roll out ink Ink your block Place paper on your block Spoon the paper to transfer the ink Carefully peel off the paper and place on drying rack Re-ink your block and repeat until you have 4 images exactly the same.