Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Cat on a Tuscan Roof



Linocut 10.5 x 11cm

I bought myself a couple of better quality lino-cutting tools recently. My printmaking teacher, Rick kindly spent ages professionally sharpening them for me, so I decided to put the dreaded oil painting aside and make another linocut.

I did a sketch of this image from my own photograph way back, thinking it would make a fine linocut. I initially made a mess of the tiny detail of the cat's ears and had to find a way to patch the lino and re-cut it. The repair instructions I found on the internet suggested using an abrasive on a piece of lino, collecting the resulting dust and mixing it with fish glue. You then use this to fill the area you want to recut. After it is dry, sand it smooth and you should be set to try again. I couldn't face cooking up a pot of fish glue for such a small hole so I mixed the dust with some wood glue. I would do it properly next time.

This is a different lino to the one I have been using and after making this first print I realised I need to sandpaper the surface before I make any more prints because it doesn't hold the ink very well. I'm going to play around with a couple of these prints adding watercolour and other media. Meantime I have an oil painting class this afternoon. Groan...

13 comments:

Anita said...

All this lino printing going on made me dig out my lino tools - I think I was being a little optimistic! Rust has taken over and as I have memories of cutting myself very badly with a blunt lino tool way back in the past I think I will have to bite the bullet and buy some new ones.
Great composition on this print, Robin! And the cat watching the bird is delightful and universally recognisable! Lovely!

Making A Mark said...

Another totally delightful print.

You are obviously destined to become a fine art printmaker - stuff the oils! :)

Carol C said...

I really like this! There's something so appealing about a well done block print! And I appreciate knowing that bad cuts can be patched.....and I hope woodglue is a good alternative for fish glue, because I don't see that ever happening if I have to MAKE it!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Very nice Robyn! I love the composition and the feel of it. And if you don't enjoy oils don't do them. Concentrate on your watercolours and these fabulous prints you keep making!

Joan said...

Lovely print, Robyn!!! You are really getting good at these!

Casey Klahn said...

Consider me a fan. I see more precision - the new tools?

Lisa B. said...

Robin, your prints are delightful. I love the kitty on the roof!

Dermott said...

Yummmmmmm! Dinner!

Jennifer Rose said...

I think a bunny might taste better then a cat :p

nice shapes on this print, can see the sun hitting the roof and casting everything else in shadow :)

Laura Frankstone said...

This is very dramatic and so well done. You amaze and impress me.

Judy Stines said...

This is a wonderfully graphic image with superb composition! LOVE IT! If you hate oils, don't do them. You have so many other options!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Anita - Thank you :) I'm only now discovering how important it is to keep lino cutting tools sharp. I guess disposable blades are one answer but you could probably bring your old ones back to life with a stone or some fine sandpaper. I'm also discovering one can never have too many fine, new cutting tools!

Katherine - Yeah, stuff the oils ;)

Carol - Many thanks. I think fish glue is just one of those things one does for art.

Judy - I don't hate oils - I think they are beautiful. What I am battling is the fact that I'm am finding them very difficult to use. I find it very hard to give up when I'm losing :(

Thank you all so much for your enthusiastic encouragement for my printmaking.

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a great composition! Brilliant image. Your oil painting comments are so funny. I can totally relate. I have a love/hate relationship with the stuff.

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