For the first of this year’s East London Printmakers Master Workshops, member Chris Pig gave a demonstration of inking up and printing linocuts by hand.  Chris Pig’s own linocuts are enormous and take months and sometimes years to carve.

Rolling up the ink.

One of Chris’s large blocks inked up and ready to print.

The paper is held in position at one end with sandbags

As the paper is lowered onto the block Chris uses a straight edge (ruler) to stop any kinks appearing in the paper.

Chris uses a japanese baren to press down the paper onto the block.  Because the paper is quite thin you can see the image through the back.  He concentrates most of the effort on the large areas of black.

Once he has gone over the whole area he uses the handle of an old carving tool as a burnisher to further press on the darkest areas.

An old deer antler (found in a park) serves as an excellent burnisher.



Pulling the print.  If any areas need further work the paper can be lowered back down and burnished some more.

One reasonably satisfied printer.

For more information on workshops at East London Printmakers visit our workshops page.

To see more of Chris Pig’s work, go to his website www.chrispig.com