How to make a linocut print for beginners

Beginners Guide to Linocut Printing

with professional artist Michelle Hughes

About the course

I will show you how to create a simple one colour linocut print, using softcut lino and water-based inks at home.

Have you always wanted to have a go at linocut printing?

Want to try a new, hands-on and colourful creative skill?

I want to inspire you to get creative!

Learn how to...

Create a simple one colour linocut print.
Carve a variety of mark making techniques using linocut tools.
Create your own design or use the design templates provided.
Print your design by hand, using water-based inks.
Make linocut prints that you can frame or make into cards.

The course includes...

Online self-paced learning.
Instructional videos, including step-by-step guides.
Design templates and tools and equipment advice as downloadable PDF’s.
Hints and tips.
Creative community and support.

This course is aimed at beginners who want to learn simple linocut techniques.

Being a self taught linocut artist, I understand many of the problems and challenges you may encounter. I want to help you by sharing my skills and the things that I’ve learnt.

Watch Intro Video

Course Trailer

Testimonials

"I have had great fun making my first linocut print, by following Michelle's on-line instruction course. I'm a complete beginner, and so was curious to see how linocut works.

The video guides for each lesson, and section of development, were clear, and offered useful hints and tips. Following the practice advice of mark making with the tools was especially good to follow, as this then gave me the confidence to explore my own marks and patterns for my first print design.

The whole process was good fun, and I was really pleased that I finished with prints that I can now send as presents to friends.

I'm hooked and can't wait to have another go, and make some cards. The joy is that I can do this anytime, and just refer back to each lesson whenever I need to.

So big thanks to you, Michelle."

About your teacher

Linocut artist Michelle Hughes

Hello, I’m Michelle Hughes, a professional linocut artist and designer in York, UK. I started lino printing on a shoestring, spending about £20 on beginner's lino tools and materials. Things snowballed from there! I trained in fashion design and worked as a textile, homeware and clothing designer, developing ranges for high-street retailers for 25 years. In 2016, I started my own business to create a range of linocut prints. I now sell my original linocut prints through my online shop, art galleries and events. I’m inspired by landscapes and nature around the UK. I have taught over 650 students through my online courses and linocut workshops in my York studio. As a self-taught linocut artist, I understand many problems and challenges you may encounter. I want to help you by sharing my skills and what I’ve learned.

Course reviews

Great introduction to lino printing

Clare Dobson

The course was informative and covered everything you needed to know to get started with lino printing. It was great to be able to go at my own pace and re-w...

The course was informative and covered everything you needed to know to get started with lino printing. It was great to be able to go at my own pace and re-watch the content when I was in the position to actually start cutting and printing. Well worth the price. I'll be purchasing the next one very soon.

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The level of detail is top notch!

Andrew Walker

I had tried linocutting and printing before, using books and a training DVD, without much success. The books don't show sufficient detail and the DVD mainly ...

I had tried linocutting and printing before, using books and a training DVD, without much success. The books don't show sufficient detail and the DVD mainly showed the artist rather than what they were doing. This course is so much better - the videos show close-ups of the workpiece and tools. Not views of one or two quick cuts and then the finished block, but every cut is shown. This is exactly what I need as a beginner. Very, very good.

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Brilliant and very easy to follow

Lynne Glazzard

This is a great introduction to Linocut print. It’s very well structured and easy to follow. It’s great to be able to go back over a section to revise it. ...

This is a great introduction to Linocut print. It’s very well structured and easy to follow. It’s great to be able to go back over a section to revise it. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn something about linocut printing. The list of tools and resources is also very useful

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Linocut for beginners

Rachel Derbyshire

A fabulous course -thank you! I've thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt so much!

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Methodical and thorough

Peter Amphlett

A methodical and thorough, step-by-step guide to basic lino printing. I picked up several really useful tips and ideas that's given me the impetus to look at...

A methodical and thorough, step-by-step guide to basic lino printing. I picked up several really useful tips and ideas that's given me the impetus to look at Michelle's next online course and her face to face classes too.

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Inspiring

Richard Brett

I have been wanting to do some linocut printing for a long time but have always been too nervous to make the leap as I was unsure of where to begin. This cou...

I have been wanting to do some linocut printing for a long time but have always been too nervous to make the leap as I was unsure of where to begin. This course was just the thing I needed; it has taught me all the basics, inspired me and I am now confident enough to start. Thank you Michelle

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Very clear and inspiring! Can't wait to get going with so...

Caroline Eason

Iv'e been to a couple of workshops before but the tips and tricks of mark making will come in very handy! The colour palette you use and the inspiration from...

Iv'e been to a couple of workshops before but the tips and tricks of mark making will come in very handy! The colour palette you use and the inspiration from your garden makes me want to go around my own now for ideas!

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Brilliant!

Emma McKenzie

I have always wanted to learn how to lino cut but didn’t know where to start. This course has given me all the basic steps to begin but also inspired me with...

I have always wanted to learn how to lino cut but didn’t know where to start. This course has given me all the basic steps to begin but also inspired me with ideas of how to Mark make in order to progress designs. Very clear and concise, I also loved that I can pause the content or slow it down to really study technique.Thank you Michelle.

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great intro course

Mhairi FitzPatrick

I found this a great inroduction to lino printing. I am a rusher by nature so this was well structured to put me through all the basic steps and get a good ...

I found this a great inroduction to lino printing. I am a rusher by nature so this was well structured to put me through all the basic steps and get a good understanding from the outset of what is possible at the beginner level. It's harder than it looks! Thanks to Michelle and I am looking forward to trying out some of my own designs. What attracted me to the course was Michelle's own work which i find inspiring. Mhairi FitzPatrick

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"Loved it"

Shirley Stone

A really enjoyable course to do at your own pace. " I'm now addicted to printing & love it"

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Fabulous course

Don Harquail

Great course, very precise, got lots of tips I had not seen in books, will certainly take the next course, and hope more courses to be offered. Thanks so much

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Course curriculum

1. Welcome & lesson plan pdf
2. Lesson 1 - Introduction
3. Tools and equipment pdf
4. Studio tour
5. Video about my work
6. Creative Support
1. Lesson 2 - Carving lino
2. Test sampler example
1. Lesson 3 - Introduction to printing
2. Lesson 3 - How to print a linocut print
3. Lesson 3 - Printing area set and preparing your blocks for printing
4. Lesson 3 - Printing demo A - Printing using water-based inks
5. Lesson 3 - Printing demo B - Printing using Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash oil-based inks
6. Lesson 3 - Printing demo C - Printing using Hawthorn’s Stay Open transparent oil-based inks
7. Lesson 3 - Printing a gradient
8. Lesson 3 - Cleaning up your inks , water-based and oil-based
1. Lesson 4 - Planning your design
1. Lesson 5 - Projects to try
2. Bonus demo - Carving & printing meadow floral
1. Lesson 6 - Resources & support
2. Resources, support & thank you pdf
3. 10 hand drawn botanical and nature themed design templates pdf
4. Inspiration - 10 pages of photos of plants and flowers from my garden pdf
5. Find out about my follow on course: Learn how to make a multi-block linocut print
6. Frequently asked questions
7. Extra resources: Paper advice
8. Extra resources: Design software advice

About this course

£55.00
27 lessons
2.5 hours of video content

Pricing

£55.00

Course price

Get started now

FAQ

What specific tools and materials do I need to do the course?

Beginner lino cutting tools: Approx £5 - £8. SoftCut or easy carve lino: A pack of five A5 (150x100mm) sheets is approx £4. Water-based printing inks: Approx £8 per colour. Ink roller or brayer: Approx £5. Alternatively, a beginner's starter set is around £20 to £30. Full details in my course notes, or read an overview in my linocut materials blog. https://www.michellehughesdesign.com/post/2018/07/02/lino-cutting-equipment
What other materials do I need to do the course?

Glass to roll ink onto and a wooden spoon. General art supplies: Pencils, pens, rubber, steel ruler, craft knife, cutting mat, printing paper, inexpensive photocopy paper or newsprint, tracing paper.
Is this course suitable for complete beginners?

Michelle's online course is suitable for complete beginners who want to learn lino printing and those wanting to develop their skills further.
Help, I can’t draw!

You don't need to worry if you can't draw, as Michelle has drawn a selection of nature and botanical-themed templates for you to download and use.
Is there any online support if I have any questions?

You can access online support via Michelle's Facebook group, and you can also email her directly.
When does the course start and how long do I have access to the course??

You will have access to the course for one year, and you can study at your own pace and at home.
How long does the course take?

The course takes the same amount of time as Michelle's one-day, in-person workshops, but with this course, you can revisit each of the techniques demoed in the videos and carve and print as many or as complex linocut designs as you like.
Do I need internet access for the course?

The videos and on-screen PDFs are all available to stream, and the linocut materials PDF and design templates PDF are downloadable.
Where can I see examples of previous students work?

You can see examples of previous students' work on Michelle's website. https://www.michellehughesdesign.com/blog/categories/linocut-workshops

Lesson 1 - Introduction

Lesson 2 - Carving lino

Lesson 3 - Inking and printing lino

Lesson 4 - Planning your design

Lesson 5 - Projects to try

Lesson 6 - Resources

About this course

£55.00