Not very rubber stamp

In the absence of speedball, mastercarve or any other rubber stamp carving material in the UK, I decided to have a go at lino. It's much trickier to carve (being more dense and hard than rubber) but at least I am not constrained by having to make everything eraser-sized!

Fisk and Fern gave me some really great advice on printing without a press and so I had a go.

Did you spot the not-so deliberate mistake on the red print? I played around, experimenting with acrylic paint and water based stamping ink. My art shop didn't have water based block printing ink and I can't be bothered faffing on with turps.

I'm glad I tried a negative image for the first go, as I am not sure my hands are steady enough to carve leaving thin lines in lino. On balance, I prefer using rubber, but if I want a big stamp, this definitely works.

Comments

[P]

you might know this already, but if you iron the lino it softens up (you have to keep doing it as it hardens as it cools).

[Celeste]

I love lino cutting, there's something so relaxing about it.

I'm not an expert, but after too many instances of cutting through narrow lines I realized that if I cut around the outline of my image with a craft knife before carving then I got nice clean lines, and my creatures were more likely to have the correct number of limbs.

[Angela]

They look sooo cute! That would make cute wrapping paper! Well done. I've never tried carving my own stamps.....yet. ;-P

[Sasha]

Very cute! I love lino but I am not confident I won't end up puncturing myself. If you want to get ahold of the Speedball rubber you could always swap for some (I love to swap...)

[Anart Island]

Did you know that you CAN get rubber for carving stamps in the UK??? I have not tried it but here is the link:
http://www.bladerubberstamps.co.uk/onlinesales/product.php?product_id=2054
I know how hard it can be to get the right stuff outside the US. germany is eaven worst than UK!!!
Hugs

Anke

[caroline]

your lino prints are really good - are they for Christmas cards? I have never done a lino cut before despite having a piece of lino and tools waiting to be used. I like P's advice about the iron and I must go to the shop Anke mentions.

Also I don't see the red print as having a mistake because it looks like he has a red nose rather than a white one.

[Megan]

Ah the memories. Haven't done lino printing since I was in school! Cool idea.

[kirsty]

He's really cute! I love Celestes tip, too. Have to try that.

[weirdbunny]

Are you getting ready for christmas already !!!

[emma]

Love that reindeer! I have some lino that I bought and kind of forgot about. You've just given me ideas for Christmas cards. :)
Also wanted to say thankyou for your kind, positive words on my blog. I was very encouraged by the fact that that post has probably received the most comments of any I've posted. And they were all positive! (so far!)

[monica]

that is wonderful!

And the girl can draw too... is there any end at the list of talents?

[beki]

This is something I've never tried. Your stamp looks great!

[Max]

They look great! I did lino cards last year for christmas and on first attempt I did it far too detailed so ended up with just christmas tree sillouhettes! Have fun!

[lindiepindie]

The stamp came out great! Good for you getting a jump start on Christmas. Rudolph is pretty cute.

[Soo]

The stamps look great! Where do you find the time to always try something new?!

[Gemma]

It's Rudolph!!! :-) I am right aren't I?

On the party front. I think it is a sad state of affairs that children can no longer be entertained by a rousing session of pass the parcel and musical bumps. :-( By the time I have children and they are school aged nothing less than a space expoloration with diamond studded moon boots will probably do!

[tiel S-K]

Hey there. It is funny seeing this, because I was just thinking of going and buy some lino tomorrow. A few tips you might consider.

heat the lino up slowly so it is nice and warm. A hot plate is ideal...you could try the oven on a really low temp. just put it in for a few minutes...don't walk away. it shouldn't be too hot to touch with your hands.

Use a wooden block to place the lino on when cutting. Make sure the wooden block has a 'lip/back' nailed on the top for the lino to rest up against. So that when you carve into the block it stays firmly up against the lip and can't move. Email me, and I'll draw you a diagram if this doesn't make any sense.

You don't need turps to clean up oil based printmaking inks. I think (from memory) eucalyptus oil does the trick, followed by methylated spirits to clean any oil residue. Enviro friendly too.

And try not to cut yourself. I have a huge scar on my left thumb from lino tools.

[house-n-baby]

I used to love doing lino-cut prints ! :)

( 2nd attempt at commenting - damn blogger-beta ! )

[capello]

I love your little dear!

In the states, if you go to an art store, you can get these massive rubber stamp blocks -- like 4 inches by 6 inches. You can't get those there?

[Flibbertygibbet]

Was going to mention, as someone else did, that Blade Rubber near the British Museum, do Speedyball. I also found that Staedler erasers are really good - easy to cut and hold a shape without crumbling!

[Mia]

Hi ya
Love this post. Can I take one photo and link to this from my site. Cute blog.
Mia