Unit 8 · Project 1
Block Ready (Transferred Image)
Select a photograph, prepare it for printmaking, and transfer it to your block.
This unit takes you through the complete linocut process from a photographic source. Start by selecting a photograph with strong composition, clear shapes, and good contrast potential. Edit it in Lightroom/Photoshop to high contrast black and white, scale it to your block dimensions, and transfer it cleanly to the block surface. The quality of your transfer determines the quality of your carving — take your time here.
Objectives
- 1Select a photograph with strong composition and contrast potential
- 2Edit to high-contrast black and white in Lightroom or Photoshop
- 3Scale to exact block dimensions
- 4Transfer cleanly to block surface using carbon paper or pencil transfer method
Materials
- Your selected photograph
- Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop
- Linoleum block (provided)
- Carbon paper or soft pencil for transfer
- Ruler
Tips
- Choose a photo with clear, simple shapes — complex photos lose their detail in carving
- Scale your image to exactly match your block before transferring
- Transfer lightly — you want a guide, not a heavy line that confuses you
- Check your transfer before carving: hold it up to the light to see if all lines transferred