Carve Out Time — May Print Club: Sunny Sands

Each month, I create a new linocut for my Monthly Print Club, alongside a studio letter sharing the process and inspiration behind the work. This third edition continues the coastal theme with a botanical design — Sea Kale Blooms.

For this edition, I wanted to celebrate the unusual plants you find growing amongst the pebbles on the beach, somehow finding their way into bloom against the harsh coastal elements. I love the symbolism in that. 

Materials
This month, I’ve been using a new type of ‘easy carve’ linoleum. It’s much softer and definitely more squidgy — it carves almost like butter when using sharp tools. After spending five days carving my XXL linocut using the traditional battleship-grey lino (as well as last month’s print), the difference feels quite dramatic.

This months inspiration and subject is Sea Kale. Here are some of my photos from over the years:

Process

This design began in a slightly different way to usual. Printing one of my own photographs of a sea kale, I wasn’t happy with the composition and wanted more freedom so went off piste and hand drew this straight on the tracing paper, using the photograph as reference. Flipping the design I used my trusty spoon to transfer it onto the block. The softer linoleum picked up the transfer of pencil much more readily - So much so, I almost didn’t go over the design with pen. Just incase of smudging though, I did and tweaked the shapes and curves slightly as I went and as I pleased. 

For this piece, I used one tool for the majority of carving but four in total — two larger, shallower tools for the pebble border, and two fine and very fine u shapes for the leaves and floral bush.

Inks
This month I kept it simple and used a beautiful, pre-mixed tone, by Cranfield - ‘Sage Green’. Instead the excitement is the paper. Purchased in Shanghai, which I visited after my showcase in Hangzhous Cultural and Creative Expo in October last year, this is a special blue/green paper type, made for printmaking. Smooth in finish it picks up the details and marks with ease.

If you, or anyone you know are lucky enough to visit Shanghai like I have been, I strongly urge you to visit ‘Super Paper Sonic’ on Fuzhou road. It is paper heaven, I spent hours looking through their printmaking papers and handmade papers that were so beautiful they’re artworks in their own right!

Printing
For printing, I again worked with a block cut to the same size as the paper to ensure consistent alignment. I created a template for the paper to sit on and align a border: I drew a 5mm border to drop onto the block and prevent the print from printing right up to the edges; so there is room for framing and singing. I printed an edition straight after carving and came in the next day wanting to add a little more light and highlights to the leaves and better balance the composition - I hope you think this has improved it as much as I do:
Sneak Peeks & Sources of Inspiration

I am 5 days into carving block one of my largest linocut yet. This is on pause for the next few weeks whilst I am away, but I am excited to return and get into the flow of carving. Part of this will be carved outside, in the sunshine, where the sun will help to heat the traditional linoleum, making it easier to carve (yay!).

What’s new
My linoprint silk scarves are selling fast — available both in store and online. At the end of May professional photos will be added to the website (and socials), showcasing the packaging I have thoughtfully developed to make this a unique experience and all the different ways you can wear them. Special thanks to the steep street angels and my partner Aaron for being wonderful and helping model them so beautifully - I can’t wait to share the photographs with you all. 

Happy printmaking, and I hope to see you in store or online again soon!