This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure.
Learn how to create your very first block print in this step-by-step linocut for beginners project. This blog post covers your first two steps – the design and carving stages. Head over to my blog post on printing your first linocut to learn how to ink and print.
Watch me demonstrate how to carve a banana leaf block print on my Youtube channel.
Step 1 – Gather supplies
You’ll need:
- A soft carving block
- Lino carving tool
- Pencil
- Paper for your initial drawing – this can be inexpensive paper from your printer or a notebook
- Tracing paper
- Water-based printmaking ink
- Brayer
- Inking plate
- Printmaking paper
- A wooden spoon or printmaking baren
If you want a more in-depth look at some excellent supplies for beginners, see my blog post on linocut supplies for when you’re just getting started.
Step 2 – Draw your design and transfer to the block
Feel free to do your own design or you can do your own drawing of the banana leaf and trace it if you’d like. As you’re designing, keep in mind that the part of the block that you want to be white needs to be carved away, and the inked part needs to remain uncarved.
Draw your design onto a piece of paper. You can choose to just draw an outline of your design, or fill in the parts you want to be black with a pencil or marker. This can help you keep track of what you are carving away and what you are keeping. Now use tracing paper to trace the design.
Position your traced design face-down onto the block. Hold the paper firmly in place and rub the back of the tracing paper to transfer the pencil to the block.
Step 3 – Carve your design
When you carve your block, make sure to keep safety in mind. The number one rule is always carve away from yourself and your hand.
Before you start carving, keep the bandages away and head over to my blog post with carving safety tips.
Using the smallest blade you have, hold the carving tool in one hand at a low angle, and hold the lino block with your other hand. Now push the carving tool forward gently, removing a small layer. Don’t gouge or stab – you’re aiming to slowly remove small pieces.
Your first goal is to remove one carving blade width from around your entire design. Once you’ve completely outlined your design with the carving blade, you can move up to the next larger size and go around your design again. Keep doing this until you’ve removed all the areas you want to be white (the colour of paper).
Carving tips
- Start with the smallest carving blade and work your way up. A smaller carving tool allows you to carve more closely to your design.
- Remove shallow layers, You can always carve the same spot more than once to remove a deeper layer.
- Carve in short lengths. It may seem satisfying to carve a long length at once, but it makes it easier to accidentally cut something you didn’t mean to remove.
You’re halfway there! Next up, head on over to my blog post on printing your first linocut to learn how to ink and print.
Buy supplies
Pick up the supplies you need for this project at your local art supply store or on Amazon:
US
- Speedball speedy carve Lino
- Speedball traditional Lino
- Speedball lino cutter
- Bench hook
- Speedball ink
- Schmincke linodruck ink
- Strathmore printmaking paper
- Arnhem 1618 printmaking paper
- Speedball soft brayer
- Speedball hard brayer
- Speedball baren
Canada
