A creative sidetrack

A ponder earlier in the week has lead me down a wondrous sidetrack that eventually connects back up to my original path. That was a metaphor-laden first sentence but I shall explain.

I've enjoyed carving and stitching words into wood but have often had thoughts about other ways to convey words or messages. A day at the Cheshire Show and a bolt of inspiration guided me towards linocut printing and opened up a whole world that I never knew existed. Very quickly I was sucked into various types of cutting tools, traditional or soft cut lino, a multitude of different inks and that was all before I even contemplated rollers and barens.

I purchased some tools and materials online to get me started and impatiently waited for them to be delivered. This time was filled with more research through blogs and delving into some YouTube videos. When the parcel arrived I set about getting to know my tools and tackling some letter ideas that I wanted to try. Ideas of a test letter was soon surpassed by a full word and what I can say is my first print:

Since this I have been consumed by thoughts of more cuts, different inks and ways to apply even pressure besides a wooden spoon. My first combination with pallet wood is underway (more to follow) and I can say that I am thoroughly enjoying this new area of discovery.

A quick highlight of the resources I found most useful at the start of my journey; the Draw Cut Ink Press and Linocut Boy blogs gave a wealth of fantastic information and the video series by Diode Press was a brilliant overview for getting started too.

Keep your eyes peeled, more linocut adventures to come with some hopefully ending up on this website and Etsy... (not so subtle plug at the end)