Linocut Artists

When I started on the linocut/block printing method of printing on fabric, I didn't really know anything about it at all. As I've said in a previous post, the closest thing to it that I had tried was in primary school when we did printing using a halved potato and poster paints. I only saw limitations with this method. After all, it would be cutting a shape, an outline, an image and dipping it in paint (or rolling paint onto it) and pressing it onto fabric. I knew deep down that this wasn't all there was to printing using a stamp or block but I couldn't seem to see past the surface. This is why I find it so important now, to look at the work of artists who use the many different methods to create their work. Listed below are some the artists that I've discovered over the last few months and who's work has helped me to see the potential in lino and block cutting.


Eric Ravilious (1903 - 1942)

Artist, Designer & Illustrator

I first saw Eric Ravilious' work at the Aberdeen Art Gallery last year. It featured work on paper, including his very distinctive watercolour Train Landscape, some of his WWII watercolours and lithographs, and a series of wood engravings. Below is a photo that I took of one of the works on display - a wood engraving of a cockerel.

Photograph taken by Amanda Barnes at Aberdeen Art Gallery November 2012

In 1939 at the outbreak of the 2nd World War, he was appointed an Official War Artist until his death in 1942.

Rachel Newling 

Rachel Newling is an Australian artist who was born in the UK. She has been working with lino cuts since 1980.

Go to her site and look at her portfolio of linocuts. In the section 'Linocuts' take a look at the sub section 'Water' and picture No.5 'Sacred Ibis'. It is beautiful. She has created movement with her cuts, a flow to the ripples that is so realistic. Her attention to detail is amazingly accurate. 

Sherrie York

Sherrie is a Colorado artist who works using the 'Reduction' method of lino cut. The technique is described below and taken from her page.

In a reduction print the artist develops all colors from the same block. For each color pass the artist removes more material from the block. Each color in printed on top of the previous. The artist must print the entire edition as he or she works, because the printable area of the single block is reduced with each pass. 

 You can also see her work on her blog at http://brushandbaren.blogspot.co.uk/ she takes us through her processes and it's amazing to watch her work as it develops.


Another great resourse for print artists (of all methods) is The Norwich Print Fair site which lists an amazing array of talented artists.