A Bird in the Hand - Art Gallery of Alberta

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition ProgramLino-Cut PrintsLino Cut is a relief method of print-making. In this method the image is created by cuttinginto a sheet of linoleum to create the image. When the sheet is inked, the ink sits on thesurface or on the raised areas. The areas which do not hold ink show up white in printingand this forms the image. Lino Cut is the method used by Illingworth Kerr in the printSnow Geese.Grades 9 to 12Objectives:Students will, through the studio activity, gain an understanding of:Materials:a) what a print is (multiple images)b) how to create a linocut print image– a piece of line for each student (approx. 5”x7” in size– while thelino can be any size, if it is too large, the process, which is quiteinvolved, could prove frustrating for many students.)Red-Winged Blackbird Linocut– hot plate and tin dish for heating the lino plate (to create ease ofcutting)– lino cutters (different sizes if possible)– block printing watercolour inks– small Plexiglass pieces to roll the ink out on– brayers (one per Plexiglas piece)–pencils– drawing paper– newsprint for proofing lino plates– construction paper or cartridge paper -two 8x10 pieces per students (for good prints)– spoons or other pressing implement– still life/landscape materials or an image based on the exhibitionMethodology:1. Using drawing paper, have students create a still life or landscape drawing.– drawing encourages students to think about subject matter– ask what they are interested in drawing in the still life/landscape or an image based onwhat they saw in the exhibition.– have the students draw at least two small images that they would like to print and havethem show examples of what they draw on paper before they make their plate.2. Demonstrate the use of lino as the plate and how to cut into the linowith a linocutter to createtheir image (remember, the marks cut do not go through the plate but only indent it or creategrooves.)AFA Travelling Exhibition Program, Edmonton, AB Ph: 780.428.3830 Fax: 780.421.0479youraga.ca