DEMONSTRATION

Badger in the Snow

Thinking of getting creative this Christmas? Why not print your own design with a simple linocut process. Over the past few years I have created Christmas cards with a variety of wintry scenes – hares, foxes and even Zoodolf, a zebra with reindeer antlers.

This year I have used the distinctive features of a badger and set it against a soft snowy landscape. Initially, after printing the design in single colour, half of the edition has been taken a stage further by highlighting the wonderful markings of the badger.

STAGE ONE 

I started by matching up the size of my carving block (soft lino) to suit the card size I was using and sketched the basic design on the lino in pencil. As the badger design is from my imagination I did not have to reverse the image as is required when creating a definitive view. Once happy with the design I cut out the white of the badger and the areas that will remain as snow in the background. I chose to print the cards in a sky blue to achieve a soft finish on the eye

STAGE TWO 

After applying the ink evenly I registered the lino to the card, ensuring the front face of the card was used so it would open correctly. Using the brayer and a little hand pressure to the lino, the inks were transferred to the card. After carefully peeling off the card I had a single print ready to hang up to dry. I was really happy with the single colour but something in me wondered what the badger would be like in his true colours. After removing the background with a wide cutter I then applied black to the badger and registered it accurately to the card. In this case I used simple hand pressure to the lino to print the black on the card. It’s your choice, single colour or two colours. Enjoy!