Creating “York” linocut
Original Print – Linocut on Paper
York Minster is a landmark rising above the characteristic cityscape of York. Red roofs are original to the old city at the centre of York.
A distinct cityscape
While the Minster quietly presides over the city skyline, vibrant red, domestic roofs crowd together below the edifice, giving the city its character and personality.
I'm not religious, though I respect others choice to be so. Churches don't tend to inspire my art, though I can appreciate their architecture.
The Minster is such a big feature of York it often ends‑up in any images of the city. It certainly adds something to the settlement.
This print is a lino print. It's part of a category of prints which use a block of material which is carved and inked, then printed by hand.
Made using two printmaking methods, it's not typical of my collection at the time it was made. It is both a multiple block print and a reduction‑cut (Reduction‑cut is a method that uses only one block of lino for all the colours).
Four makes five colours
It's possible to create three colours though you've only layered‑up two, in printmaking.
It takes some planning and understanding of the process to achieve, but it's usually worth the extra effort. The effect can be seen in the sky in this print. There are two subtle tones.
I like the freedom to overlay inks when you use more than one block. Clever use of graduated inks has the possibility of even more effects. These are only two of the many creative possibilities.
Working with several blocks of lino rather than one though, creates some extra difficulties to overcome. Making sure each colour sits correctly over the others is the main challenge, and it's not easy in a handmade context.
Block printing using wood was first printed on paper (1) about 12 years after York became the Roman capital (2) of the North of England.