After spending hours on this reduction linocut process, I was getting a bit discouraged because I didn’t feel the prints were going to turn out. But I pressed (ha ha) on and carved out the areas in the block today that were to stay light gray. My original plan was to print dark gray and then brown, but I decided I could do that fairly easily in one pass instead of two. There will be less detail on the branch but the important part is the bird and I want to complete this project soon.
I carved out all the parts that were to stay light gray. I left some feathery bits on the bird’s body to give him more texture. His upper body is darker gray than the bottom so I left more printable linoleum there.
And I printed all 16 of my prints. Quite a few of these, the registration is off but they still look pretty good. So much better than I expected.
Here’s one where you can even see the white bits fairly well. Now all I have left to print is the black layer. So I am letting these dry and I’ll carve out everything on the lino block except the black on the bird and some shadows on the branch. I am really looking forward to seeing the end result now as my little bird definitely looks like a bird now.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
Ruth Lane Art 
Such persistence. I’m glad it paid off. I look forward to seeing the final print. Kudos to you for hanging in there.
Thanks Marilyn, sometimes persistence is your best bet 🙂
The bird is looking great – you just need to press on with finishing it now (couldn’t resist).
Thanks Lyn, yes, I will press on!!
You’ve registered (!!!) your frustration (I couldn’t resist either) and hung in there with a great result. I’m not sure I would have had the same patience. Looking forward to seeing the final prints of your bird.
Ha ha! Thanks Antje, I have finished carving and now need a block of time to print the black ink. I have learned a lot about the process and I am glad I didn’t give up.
It looks great Ruth. I found lino carving very slow, especially having to warm up the linoleum on the radiator every now and then, so I admire your patience!
Thanks Kim, I actually enjoyed the lino better than the “easy carve” rubbery stuff I have used in the past. Better detail on the lino. I forgot about the heating up part, I’ll have to remember that next time.