Imaginary Insect Linocut Prints

Michael’s class came to the art room today to learn how to make prints using the linocut printmaking technique. Linocut printmaking can be challenging but I am super proud of how Michael’s class listened and carefully followed instructions.

The students studied images of linocuts and familiarized themselves with different marks they could make with the lino cutters before beginning their pencil sketches. We talked about the fact that a pencil line is likely to be thinner than a line from a lino cutter. The students considered this as they drew their insect sketches.

After transferring their images onto the printing blocks the students began cutting the lino. This process was challenging and a bit daunting for some but everybody persevered and completed a printing block. The printing process was as expected - lots of fun and full of experimentation. The students played around with coloured inks and against different coloured paper. They also experimented with more than one ink on a single print. I loved being part of their discoveries.

The students chose two images to mount as part of a class display. They took the rest of their prints home, the favourite of which had been mounted. The students can be proud of their exceptional efforts today.