Making Linocut Prints for Band Merchandise - Coral

 

Linocut Prints for the band, Coral - 5 x 7 inches, Alex Ariza 2025

Linocut Printmaking Process

Everything begins with a sketch. 

Graphite Drawing of a Woman with Coral Growing Out of Her Head, 5 x 7 inches, Alex Ariza 2025

This graphite drawing combines a woman's head and the organic shapes of coral growing out of her head and eyes. The background is darkly shaded pushing the lighter face forward and enhances the dreamlike, submerged feeling.

Drawing of a Woman with Coral Growing Out of Her Head, 5 x 7 inches, Alex Ariza 2025

The next step is inking the graphite drawing to get an idea of the values using only black and white. Gray tones are created by hatching the line work closer or farther apart from each other. For maximum impact, the face is left pure white against the black background. 

The next phase is to transfer the drawing on to the linoblock. For this, I covered the back of the drawing with a layer of graphite. The line drawing is then transferred on the block. With a Sharpie marker I fill in the drawing on the linoblock. 

Carved Linocut Block for the Band Coral by Alex Ariza 2025

Then I carve out whatever should remain white and leave whatever is to hold ink and be printed black.

Linocut Prints for the band, Coral by Alex Ariza 2025