Drawing directly onto a lino block isn't the most common method; instead, artists typically transfer a design onto the block before carving. This allows for more precision and the ability to use existing drawings or images.
Here's a common way to get your design onto a lino block, incorporating the use of tracing paper and carbon paper:
Transferring Your Design to Lino
You can transfer your design from an existing drawing, sketch, or even a photo onto the lino block using a few simple materials. The key is to ensure the design appears correctly when printed, which often means transferring it in reverse.
Step-by-Step Transfer Process
- Prepare your original design: Start with your finished drawing or the image you want to transfer.
- Trace the design: Use tracing paper to draw around your original design drawing. Carefully trace all the lines and details of your image onto the tracing paper.
- Reverse the image: Flip the tracing paper over so it is back to front. This is crucial because when you carve and then print, the image will be reversed again, appearing correctly in the final print.
- Position on the lino: Place the flipped tracing paper design onto your lino block where you want it to appear.
- Transfer the image: You can transfer the image onto the lino in a couple of ways:
- Using Carbon Paper: Place carbon paper (ink-side down) between the flipped tracing paper and the lino block. Use a pencil or stylus to firmly trace over your lines on the tracing paper. The pressure will transfer the carbon outline onto the lino block. You can use carbon paper to transfer your design from a drawing or photo onto the lino.
- Using Soft Pencil Rubbing: If you don't have carbon paper, you can heavily shade the back of your tracing paper design (the flipped side touching the lino) with a soft pencil (like a 4B or 6B). Then, place the tracing paper graphite-side down on the lino and rub firmly over the lines on the front using a hard object like a spoon or the blunt end of a pencil.
Materials Needed
- Your original design (drawing or photo)
- Tracing paper
- Pencil (preferably soft, e.g., 4B, 6B, 8B) or stylus
- Lino block
- Carbon paper (optional)
By following these steps, you'll have a clear outline of your design on the lino block, ready for carving.
