Fourteen hands of Fate and Fortune

This week, I was lino-cutting. I wanted a design to print onto scarves and t shirts that would be less ironically sweet than the owls and rabbits, and I decided to use The Hand of Fate and Fortune. I photographed each step, and thought I would give you all a tutorial in lovely basic lino-cutting.

Upscaled sketch of The Hand Of Fate

The original Hand of Fate was a small design and would have been quite difficult to cut, so I began by upscaling the drawing to actual hand size, and simplifying it slightly.

Completed tracing with my sheets of lino

My next step was to trace the image onto baking paper. The easiest way to do this is to cut the paper to the same size as the lino, and then use masking tape to secure it over the drawing. Once you've traced it, lay down the pencil drawing, face to the lino, and tape it down again. I'm using the soft silkcut lino, which is a lot easier to use than the old kind.

Tracing paper and 5B pencil

                                     

Transferred image!

I know that this is probably something you would all work out, but I like to cut around the outline of a drawing first, and then work my way up. That way you don't end up rubbing out your carefully transferred pencil guide with your wrist as you cut. The aim is to cut as smoothly as possible, with a regular depth to the lines. They can't be too shallow or they get swamped by the printing ink.

Depth of cut

Trying to show here the kind of depth that is desirable, I like to use a number 9 cutting blade (the number is on the back). The sharper the blade is the easier it is to cut smoothly.

Partially cut design

                                       

The finished cut! It's not traditional(See the Lino-cuts in my post The Maiden In The Tower), but with my Printed Ghetto cuts I'm using scissors to trim around the edge of the image so that there isn't a huge square of ink on the shirt or cushion I'm embellishing. I'm using my ink for fabric from The Indian Block Printing Company again, mixed with a really small amount of red. The correct way to print now is to apply the ink to the block with a roller (correct Printmaking name: brayer) then lay the paper or fabric over the printing block, it is then smoothed down using circular movements with a tool called a baren, although it's okay to use a wooden spoon. Because my prints are going onto a vest top, and it would be difficult to place them correctly, I am printing downwards onto the fabric. 

And here are my initial prints onto clothing! They are smoother and more defined than you can see in the photos. My intention is to print some smaller patterning around the hands, before embroidering into the print the same way that I did with my cushions. 

Initial prints onto shirt

I hope that this was useful if you are interested in making your own lino-cuts, and interesting if you like The Printed Ghetto. Please leave a comment as I would love to know what people think. Thank you for reading!