Testing New Wood cutting tools

New Protect Antarctica Lino Print

I developed my Lino print over the past number of weeks while developing other elements of my project creating different dyes onto fabric which I can develop into inks and pigments for Lino inks and screen printing inks.

The colours I am developing are indigo and woad for my Tote bag for shopping to reduce single use plastics.

Lino cut onto A3 using 3 different tools.

I initially draw onto baking crease proof paper so I can turn it around and trace the opposite onto lino. I have also recognised it is useful to rub the lino with a rubber to remove crease that has got onto lino from its making process or your hands. This makes pencil easier to apply. I also use a really thick soft pencil which works really well.

The large one is used for big areas and the smaller ones for detail.

I have chosen to create a new screen print as the finish that you get from a screen print is more defined and more conformed than using the press and a lino, its also commercially quicker and therefore cheaper to make.

I have developed some more Lino prints using coral and seaweed as inspiration. These have been developed from botanical illustrations which I have sourced through Pinterest research.

I think that the tools I have used and my developing skills have increased the element of detail which previously I found difficult to develop using the cheaper tools.

Tools used for cutting link. Big for large areas is useful as it makes the process quicker.

Traditional Lino plate with hessian back.

This Lino plate is harder than the softer Lino that I have been using, I actually really like the colour it’s far more neutral and easier on the eye. It slips a bit more when using tools, however it’s harder so it doesn’t run as far when cutting. I will be printing this plate this week. I traced out my drawing onto plate using inked paper. 

Lino plate initial drawing and the cutting line around it.

Completed Lino cut.

Lino and historical illustrated plate which inspired my Lino cut.
After printing I have realized that the previous lino that I have used the ink rolls onto it easier also the plate after printing it curved and wouldn't lie flat.I could see this as a problem moving forward so I will be using the original  lino that I have been using. The actual print design didn't go to plan, the lettering is difficult to read and the seaweed is to close to the feet. I may use this image on illustrator within a collage print.

Colour blending using printing inks Cranfield :California safe wash relief inks,oil based and washable. Prussian blue/Progress blue/Opaque white.

Clam Cross Hatch lino prints in neutral colours using sketch book ideas for reference. Since purchasing new tools for wood cuts/Lino cuts I have discovered how much better the tools are, however for more care is needed as they are extremely sharp.
I would like to put this lino print into Photoshop and create a repeat pattern.

Mixing ink with palette Knife.

Series of colours for fabric range.

These are the inks colours I used to create these colours mixing with a lot of white. I am hoping to make my own lino inks using an ancient Japanese recipe.

I will be adding natural pigments to create my colours, hopefully creating similar colours than what I am using now

Medium soft roller.

Duck Egg Green

Petrol tone a great neutral colour even though dark.

The roller size medium soft roller head.

I have added a strip panel in the design, the opposite cut away.

Lino Plate.

Mixing the colours took quite a long time I added thinner to this but not too much. After getting the right tone I added a lot more white.

Paper used was Japanese cream mid weight.

Up cycled Old Pennies for Tote Bag Design

Clamp used to hold pennies in when drilling

Drilled pennies and the drill bit that was used.

Piller Drill with cut out switch behind for emergencies.

Detail for Tote Bag.

Old Pennies that I have kept since a child have a visual equality that links to previous times and can give an nostalgia and an awareness of recycling, up cycling theme to my Tote Bag Design. I am designing a Tote Bag to reduce single use plastics as part of my MA Design project. 

Old pennies without drill holes

Method of Application.

I have chosen to drill a hole in my pennies using a drill. Firstly a used a punch hole tool to make a small v shape into the penny. This helps the drill from moving around. For this task,it is important to put the pennies in a vise and make sure when drilling it is placed over the gap so that the drill has room to go through the penny and doesn’t continue to drill through the vise.

Technique to use when drilling is to drill a bit then ease of drill a bit and ease of making sure you hold the vise securely and don’t let the drill bit to move around.

The drill opposite is a Piller Drill used for various making techniques.
I have chosen it as the easiest way to drill holes in pennies.I needed to wear protected goggles also I wore overalls took anything that could have got stuck or dragged into machine i.e  clothing .

Queen Victoria on a penny from the turn of the century.

Clamp that secured the pennies in place, make sure they are secure otherwise the penny will run up the drill bit.
The Piller drill and drill bit used to drill pennies.
Drilled pennies with image of drill bit used.

Penny with jump ring, this is just a ring I found in the makers lab. I will order a slightly larger ring about 7mm in rose gold. I will attach the penny to the tote bag with crocheted rope or leather shoe lace.

Finished detailing for tote bag to encourage upcycling.

These pennies and also the pom poms that are to be attached to bags need to be soldered as the metal loops are coming apart.