DfL (Down from London) is a limited edition linoprint I created for a series of exhibitions in Margate in summer/autumn 2016.
It was a good test of my linoprint skills – which compared to the control I feel when I pick up a pen – are virtually non-existent.
Credit for the final result must go partially to advice from such sage experts as Martin Adams and Kirsten Schmidt (expert East London Printmakers) and Margate-based Nick Morely of Hello Print. Incidentally, if you want a superb book on linoprint for artists, you could do worse than grab a copy of Nick’s book.
As with all good things, I started with a drawing..
Please note the wooden spoon – turns out that’s the most important part of the whole process. It’s all about the pressure baby, especially when you’re hand-printing lino.
For this edition, as you can see, I used Jacksons Water-based ink. This is a lot easier to clean up after, but as I’ll cover in other posts, for some editions I use Caligo especially when printing by hand.
To cut the plate I used Pfeil tools. To be fair, they are the only ones I use or would consider – just so much control and such high quality. They’re pricey but 100% worth it – the best price I’ve found is at Jacksons.
I love the way plates look when they’re freshly inked. So much potential (but also potential for it to go wrong… 😮 )
Here’s what happens when you don’t use enough spoon… sob.
Here’s the first colour plate going on – with enough pressure! Thanks to my experts for the tips and I can confirm that the only way to hand print lino is essentially by applying pressure until you have worked up quite a sweat and creating one massive bicep. Maybe I shouldn’t have made this edition in the middle of a hot summer..
The first reveal of the second (black) plate… thank gawd I didn’t mess that bit up.
Edition of 10 completed and suspended – it’s always quite satisfying to see them strung across the studio.
And I got to show them off at the Viking Gallery in Cliftonville, Margate.
I’ve also made a series of greetings cards based on this work, which are available in my etsy store.
fishescircle.com 