How to Make a Stunning Linocut Print with Gold Leaf

Linocut is a printmaking technique that involves carving a design into a sheet of linoleum and then using it as a stamp. Traditionally, linocut prints are made with ink, but you can also use gold leaf to create a dazzling effect. A gol leaf is a thin sheet of gold that can be applied to a surface with a special glue called size. In this blog post, I’ll show you how to make a linocut print with gold leaf in a few simple steps.

What You’ll Need

To make a linocut print with gold leaf, you’ll need the following materials:

• A sheet of linoleum
• A linocut carving tool
• A pencil and paper
• Gold leaf size or glue
• Gold leaf sheets (or any other colour leaf)
• A sheet of paper (preferably dark-coloured)
• A clean brush to apply the gold leaf
• A brush to apply the glue to the lino
• A varnish (optional)

Step 1: Carve Your Design

The first step is to carve your design into the linoleum. You can draw your design on a piece of paper and then transfer it to the linoleum by tracing it with a pencil. Alternatively, you can draw directly on the linoleum with a pencil. Remember that your design will be reversed when you print it, so you may want to flip it horizontally before carving.

To carve your design, use a linocut carving tool with different blades to cut away the parts of the linoleum that you don’t want to print. Be careful not to cut too deep or too shallow, and always carve away from your fingers. You can test your carving by making a test print with ink on a scrap paper.

Step 2: Apply the Size

The next step is to apply the size or glue to the surface of the linoleum. You can use a roller or brayer to spread an even coat of size over the entire linoleum sheet. Make sure to cover all the parts of your design that you want to be gold. You can also use a brush to apply the size to smaller or more detailed areas.

Step 3: Press the Paper

The third step is to press the paper onto the linoleum. You’ll need a sheet of paper that is slightly larger than your linoleum sheet. The darker the paper, the better, as it will contrast with the gold leaf. Place the paper on top of the linoleum and press it firmly with your hands or a flat object. You only need to press for 1-3 seconds, as the size will transfer quickly. If you press for too long, the paper may stick to the linoleum and ruin your print.

Step 4: Leaf it!

The fourth step is to remove the lino and wait for 1-5 minutes for the size to get tacky before you can add your gold leaf. Then, carefully apply the gold leaf sheets from the paper and use a clean brush to smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles. You can also use the brush to remove any excess gold leaf that is not attached to the size/glue. You should see your design in gold on the paper.

Step 5: Varnish the Print (Optional)

The final step is to varnish the print if you want to protect it from fading or tarnishing. You can use a spray or brush-on varnish that is suitable for gold leaf. Follow the instructions on the product and apply a thin coat of varnish over the entire print. Let it dry completely before handling or framing your print.

Congratulations!

You’ve just made a stunning linocut print with gold leaf! You can admire your work or give it as a gift to someone special. You can also experiment with different designs, colours, and types of gold leaf to create more prints. Have fun and happy printing!