Reduction Linoleum Block Printing:
Everything about tools and process
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Diane Castle Babcock and I have created reduction process linoleum block prints for forty-six years. Yes, I was five years old when I started (just kidding). Most of my imagery is based on the landscape of upstate New York, and in particular, the Adirondacks, where I lived for fifteen years.
Here is a brief explanation of the process:
I begin each print with a colored pencil and charcoal drawing. I turn the drawing face down on the block and rub it; the charcoal outline transfers in reverse onto the linoleum.
Before I print, I cut away the white areas of the image. The areas that are carved away will not be inked. The carving tools I use are V-shaped and U-shaped gouges. When all the white areas are carved, I print the first color on all the paper I am going to use. The entire edition, or series of prints, must be printed at once.
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As I print the colors, I carve more and more away from the block, so that when the print is done, most of the block is carved away. Because the block is destroyed, my prints are truly limited editions. All my prints are hand pressed with a bamboo barren, which is a traditional Japanese wood block printing tool. I use handmade Japanese paper for my prints and they are framed with acid-free materials.
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Here is a recent project. I begin with a sketch, then I transfered the drawing onto the block. Next, I carved out the white parts of my image and printed the first color. Now I need to cut away the parts of the image I want to stay black.
After I cut away what I want to stay black, I inked the block with red and green and printed over the black. I carved the red and green areas, then I printed the teal blue over those colors. After carving the away the teal, I printed the light blue background. Because I continually carve away from the Linoleum, the block is destroyed as I make the prints. This ensures a limited edition.
Interested in Learning More?
If your art group is seeking presenters, I am currently scheduling Linoleum Block demonstrations and workshops. If you're an individual eager to participate in a four-hour workshop, use the contact form below to reach out with any questions and to join my list.
Want to Learn about Reduction Linoleum Block Printing? Book a Linoleum Art Demonstration in New York
Is your art group or gallery looking for a unique demonstration? If you are located in upstate New York, Diane Castle Babcock is now scheduling reduction linoleum block printing demonstrations.
The lino reduction print process involves many steps and careful planning. Trying to learn this process from a book is challenging because it is by nature, a very visual technique. Linoleum reduction printmaking is subtractive rather than additive. This requires “thinking backwards” because what she subtracts from the block is what appears on the paper. And the image reverses from right to left.
Here is a brief description of my process:
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Before beginning a lino reduction print, I need to trace the block and draw the image with colored pencils and charcoal pencils. I then transfer the drawing onto the linoleum block.
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I cut away the white first, using V-shaped gouges made for reduction linoleum block printing. The areas that are carved out will not be inked. Then I print the first color on all the paper. The entire edition, or series of prints, must be printed at once.
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After the first color is printed, I cut out what is going to stay that color (if I printed red, I cut out what will stay red). Then I print the second color over the first. I have to register, or line up the print with the block each time I add a color.
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As I print the colors, I carve more away from the block. When the print is complete, the only part of the block left raised is the last color.
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I am an award-winning lino reduction print artist. I conduct linoleum block art demonstrations in New York state for many art groups as well as in public schools.
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Over the years, I have developed printing techniques that make my art unique. Contact me to book a linoleum block art demonstration. I also hope to offer an online course in 2026. Join my mailing list to learn more.