Reduction Linocutting

It's printing time again! This time we're back in my comfort zone: linocutting. But this time I've ventured into new(ish) territory* and made a two-stage reduction print based on my Polyphylla megaloceros drawing:



This is the first stage block. I printed this in acid green/yellow and another version in chestnut/ochre, cut away some more and printed some monochrome versions in umber and black, then cut away even more and overprinted the acid green and chestnut prints with black. The prints are currently on the drying rack at Red Hot Press but I get to pick them up tomorrow! Watch this space...

I also bought myself some plywood to experiment with woodcut printing. I fully expect to be visiting A&E at sometime this week... Thinking I might try a more naturalistic beetle, maybe Calligrapha sylvia or something based around it, because the markings really remind me of Rorschach's mask!

*I have attempted this before at home with water-based inks using my Lucanus atropos drawing as a base. The ones I've just done are far more successful.