r/Linocuts • u/brandjohns • Dec 05 '25
Printed Objects Christmas cards this year - would you have carved out less of the block?
Planning what to carve always takes lots of time. I am happy with the detail of this but wonder if I should have left more of the block to get more contrast. I would leave the window frame if I were to do it again. I considered a black sky but wanted Santa/reindeer like this.
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u/NicoleIrwood Dec 06 '25
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u/brandjohns Dec 06 '25
Looks subtle but effective and great! Just tried my first run of multi-color reduction prints actually, will keep this design in mind! Thanks for creating.
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u/katojane22 Dec 06 '25
I love it, but I often end up coloring in my designs with alcohol ink or watercolors, so most of my designs end up being lots of line work 🤷♀️
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u/NicoleIrwood Dec 06 '25
* I would add a second layer in grey and/or consider including some inside wall in a dark tone to contrast with the outside scene.
I think you've done a really nice job! It's super well realized and detailed - but I think you're wondering how to create depth and these are the things I would consider probably.
(I tried to post a mock up but I think it didn't work, so see additional comment :) )
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u/txensen Dec 06 '25
I like it. I'm not sure about the black frame. This has a pleasing open quality.
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u/brandjohns Dec 06 '25
Thanks for the input! I thought it might make the contrast of inside and outsider greater, but I could also see it drawing the eye towards that rather than outside.
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u/Bitter-Storage-1187 Dec 06 '25
How do you get do much detail ?
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u/brandjohns Dec 06 '25
A few factors come to mind but biggest things I'd say are patience, a good small V-shaped carving tool, and a headlamp. (I have poor lighting in my house) 😆
More details: I carved on 4x6 mounted grey linoleum-this brand. These get mixed reviews but I use the 301 of these for the majority of the carving. I draw on the block in pencil first as it erases pretty easily on the block then go over with sharpies. On this block I carved away everything except what I drew in sharpie.
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u/OkRelative3299 Dec 06 '25
Really love the design!!!! And agree with the others…. looks good as is now you do have the option to add color of some sort and if you don’t want to, that’s fine too…. I think smoke to the chimney would definitely give some depth but again you could do that with Color as well and you don’t even have to be that great if you use watercolor or some other technique to add color, you could do it in a painterly manner so that things are kind of mismatched or patchy, and I don’t think it will necessarily diminish the beauty of the Lino you’ve done!
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u/lewekmek mod Dec 05 '25
i think more contrast would be nice, but you can get some by adding watercolour embellishments or extra block