I’m excited to be teaching an upcoming reduction linocut class at Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, California. It consists of three Saturday sessions on July 8, 15 and 22, 2023. Here’s a summary of the in-person linoleum block printing class.

Introduction to Reductive Linocut - This class is an introduction to relief printing with linoleum. Students will also learn how to make reduction prints using a technique to make multicolor prints from one linoleum block. Students will learn the step-by-step process that will take their initial design ideas to a small final edition of prints. Topics we’ll cover include linocut supplies, carving techniques, print registration and printing with an etching press. No prior printmaking experience is necessary.

Linocut Class at Kala in July 2023

A while ago, I took a photo of a coral fossil because I thought the patterning was really cool. It was from a museum visit in San Francisco with my kids. I decided to use the pattern as a jumping off point for an abstract linocut print.

Using the reduction print technique, I made this two-color lino print on 11”x14” white paper. I used Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash Relief Ink and printed the yellow layer first, followed by the black. Here’s a short Instagram video of me rolling out ink on the block to test a color.

It’s titled, Grooves, and is a limited edition of four prints. The linocut is available on Etsy.

Reduction Linocut Print - Grooves (2021)

The linoleum block used for the reduction lino print.

I’m pleased to have one of my most recent linocut prints in a new online gallery show at Mill Valley’s O’Hanlon Center for the Arts. My new reduction lino print was made in March-April, 2020 during California’s shelter-in-place order for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“March” - Reduction Linocut Print Made During the COVID-19 Pandemic

If you’re curious about the process of making the print, I posted work in progress photos on Instagram that you might want to check out (after the third layer and after the fourth layer), as well as a short carving video.

The art show is titled, Humankind in Crisis, and this is how they’ve described the current show:

“Artists throughout time have responded to their world with a visual understanding that speaks to our collective feelings and emotions. Art has the capacity to go deeper and touch us in ways that news reports and charts cannot. This show represents how the current extreme, frightening, life-altering crisis is manifesting in our artists’ work created between March 1 and April 20, 2020.”

The O’Hanlon Center is hosting an online roundtable discussion on May 5 (4:00 PM PST) via Zoom. Go to the O’Hanlon Center website to see the artworks in the show, join the Zoom call, or download the show program. Thanks!

I’m excited to have a follow up to my How to Linocut online course for beginners, it’s an intermediate class all about reduction printmaking! In the class, I walk students through the step-by-step process of making a reduction linocut print. I also show how to make a registration jig. If you want a little background on this printmaking process, check out my reduction printing page.

Example Linocut Print from the Reduction Printing Course

I’ve used the reduction printing technique for many years, making prints like this linocut called Solitude II. Here’s a short trailer for the course.

By the end of this class, through practice, you'll be on your way to creating your own reduction prints. Here’s a kind testimonial from a student in the course:

“I really enjoyed this course. The presentation was clear, concise and well thought out. Thank you so much!”

— Kathryn, How to Make a Reduction Print Student (2018)

The British Museum in London posted a nice little video about Picasso's linocuts on Facebook this week. It breaks down his reduction linocut technique using one of his most famous lino prints, Still Life under the Lamp. While he is sometimes citied as the originator of the technique, research indicates otherwise. I've written in the past about Picasso and tips on making a reduction print if you're interested.

Art writer Charlotte Mullins takes a look at a set of Picasso linocuts acquired by the British Museum in 2014, with help from Art Fund. The two prints, Still Life under the Lamp and Jacqueline Reading, were both made in 1962, when the artist was 80 years old.