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Intricate Beauty of Linocut

In the right hands, linoleum can be used to produce intricate artworks and charming patterns to adorn the home.

In the printmaking technique of linocut, tools are used to carve patterns, pictures and lines into linoleum (often mounted on wood) to achieve different textures, resulting in a raised surface that can be inked and printed.

Invented in the nineteenth century as a floor covering, linoleum became popular for printmaking in the twentieth century, with Picasso and Matisse both partaking. Easy to try at home, especially for those already planning homemade Christmas cards, linocut kits are available from art and craft shops as well as online.

Expert advice for linocut novices includes keeping tools sharp and investing in a quality soft rubber roller to ensure a fine, consistent layer of ink.

Beginners are advised to get used to using the tools by playing around on small pieces of lino first, making different-shaped cuts, before embarking on their first design. Help to visualise a design by drawing it onto the linoleum first. Place the linoleum on a non-slip surface and always carve away from the hand for maximum safety.

For those who love the linocut-print look and prefer to leave it to the experts, St Jude’s sells a wealth of fabrics and wallpapers in a vast array of colourways, ), Mark Hearld and Emily Sutton. This body of work beautifully showcases the possibilities achievable through linocutting and the reasons behind its enduring appeal.