How to carve shapes - A linocut tutorial by Linocutboy

In this linocut tutorial I demonstrate how to cut shapes in lino using a variety of gouges and a knife (hangito).
How to cut round a square accurately and cleanly.
How to cut tiny shapes with a hangito.
How to carve small shapes in one go using a large V tool and a large U gouge.
Please comment and I will do my best to answer questions. You can also check out my book 'Linocut for Artists and Illustrators' available from bookshops and from my online shop:
linocutboy.big...
My website also has a blog with more useful info on things like which tools and materials to buy and where to find them, plus tips on carving and printing and lots more!
linocutboy.com
Follow me on Instagram @linocutboy

[@deadinteresting8905]

This must be the ONLY "how to" on lino cutting on KZbin!! I have looked A LOT!! thank you, thank you :)

[@katchabilek9872]

Yeh, his book is the ONLY linocut book too.

[@DG-mv6zw]

So many linoprint tutorials on KZbin showcasing fancy designs, but thank goodness for clear, concise and pragmatic tutorials like yours. Really useful for those not knowing how to get started and the techniques to be used. I bought a kit a couple of years ago and have only done one linocut! Now I feel better equipped to get into it properly. Look forward to seeing more of your videos. Many thanks, my friend. 👍 PS Any tips on how to plan out the design would be a tremendous help - in terms of how to put cut out areas and non cut out areas which are adjacent so that it makes sense when printing. I find I don't know what to have white and what to have black (if you get what I mean). I've ruined linocuts because I've put white against white and vv.

[@osofine23]

Have you ever demonstrated cutting very small *positive* circles (so circles that will print, not cutting out the inside of a circle shape)? I mostly run into trouble when trying to cut eyes, especially pupils, as well as simple stylized eyes that are just dots… really any kind of eye, especially when they need to match a pair! It is so much easier to remove a circle of Lino or stamp-carving material than it is to leave it in. Doing a whole pattern of little polka dots sounds very intimidating, although after watching this, I think maybe I should just focus more on the negative shapes in between. If you (and/or anyone else reading this) has any tips, including which tools would work best, I’d love to hear it! I’ve tried holding a tool steady and trying to turn the Lino, but that hasn’t helped with the symmetry issue. I like putting people into my artwork in all mediums (probably my favorite subject) but with relief printing, I’ve just run into problems with eyes so many times! Thank you and thank you so much for this video and all of the information you provide! I’ve been a fan for years, ever since I first saw your Dodo! [Speaking of dodos, have you ever read any of the Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde? The first one is “The Eyre Affair” and he’s written many since. There is a dodo in them and they are also brilliant, funny, and brilliantly funny! 🦤]

[@allisonjames2923]

Thank you. You are one of very, very few who actually show how to cut shapes using varied pressure & angle.

[@bluewren65]

This is a great instructional, especially for the beginner. The real gold is right at the end when you show how to cut triangles without large v-gouge. Thanks Nick. I have your book and now I know how lovely your voice sounds.

[@Linocutboy]

Ha ha! Glad you found it useful!

[@DumiduSurasinghe]

I just started with lino printing and your videos have been very helpful, thanks for producing them. Looking forward to the next one.

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks Dumidu! Glad they are helpful.

[@alaindion2326]

Amazing experience and control of your gouges! Thanks

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks!

[@questioneverything2488]

Excellent! Many thanks. I have got the stuff today! I will start right away and hope I can develop the same patience you have🌻🌷🌿😁

[@Linocutboy]

Enjoy!

[@losinyee4514]

Tq, your video really covers it all. I as a beginner have really learned a lot.

[@Linocutboy]

Glad you found it useful!

[@ellendarby]

Excellent video!!! This was extremely helpful to me as a newbie. Thank you!

[@CyndiWho]

Very helpful! Thank you for your tutorials. I’m working on very tiny hollow circles, having a devil of a time!

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks Cyndi. I'll do one on curves and circles

[@cfinlay6428]

Really informative, thanks!

[@martinarmer240]

Great video. Thanks Nick . Looking forward to a face to face workshop in the future.

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks Martin.

[@lindavandermark1193]

Thank you very much for showing us the way to go

[@judihopewell2499]

Excellent primer thanks i feel ready now…

[@thekangapress6616]

Great job!

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks!

[@Lauragld]

wonderful video....so helpful....thank you :)

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks Laura! Glad you liked it.

[@rickypatterson8973]

Very helpful Thanks

[@Linocutboy]

Glad you found the useful

[@saliuarts]

The knife tool is versatile

[@kathymueller9259]

Thank you!!😊

[@sueallen952]

Loved this, just bought a kit for christmas for myself. Do you have a link for the lino and what it's called please as my esdee kit has soft carve in it thanks

[@Linocutboy]

Hi Sue. The lino I use is the traditional grey linoleum. You can get it in the UK from handprinted.co.uk or intaglioprintmaker.com

[@dorotheebroeckelmann2635]

Great video! What did you blue-colour your lino with?

[@Linocutboy]

Thank you! I used an alcohol based marker

[@dorotheebroeckelmann2635]

@@Linocutboy Thank you 😊

[@jackiebowcutt524]

Very useful. What is your opinion of Japanese vinyl? It feels easier to carve but it looks as if grey Lino pops out the shapes in a sharper way. Also do you have the letter/ number of the large V tool. Thank you.

[@daebakworld2671]

thanks for helpful video. What did you use to paint the lino to blue? It looks like highlighter, but I found them coming off to my hand when carving...

[@Linocutboy]

I used an alcohol based marker. You can use a Sharpie but I prefer Zig markers

[@daebakworld2671]

@@Linocutboy oh amazing! Do you have to wash them before printing? or does it not print to paper with ink? Thanks for quick response!

[@jazznaila5854]

Great video, thanks for sharing! Was wondering how often/ where is good to get tools sharpened? Do you send them off to get sharpened somewhere?

[@Linocutboy]

I'm going to do a sharpening video soon!

[@krishabhuva974]

Hello,which block do you use in this linocut???

[@Linocutboy]

This is traditional grey linoleum

[@sueallen952]

Don't know if you will see this as it's now 2022 but are wood carving tools suitable for lino cutting? I'm a pensioner and the lino cutting tools are quite expensive thank you

[@Linocutboy]

Hi Sue! Yes, you can use wood carving tools. Just make sure they're sharp!

[@Mindabble]

This is exactly the kind of video I was searching for far and wide when I started cutting lino half a year ago. So excited to see it becoming a thing

[@Linocutboy]

Sorry it took me so long!

[@Mindabble]

​@@Linocutboy Haha, well stuff takes time! :D I'm just happy it's happening. And getting a tiny kick out of seeing what I've experimented with actually working and seeing other ways to apply it. ^^

[@joserivers6352]

Can you make a video showing how you sharpen and maintain your tools?

[@tarotoculus]

Great video. I just got the book - Linocut for Artists and Designers! I saw the Dodo with Yoyo print on the Albion press! Lovely book with great information!

[@Linocutboy]

Yes, I wrote that book! 🤓

[@mr.goodpliers6988]

Great info, thank you!

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks!

[@lucymason4142]

This was very useful thank you, are you making some more videos? Many thanks

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks Lucy! Yes, when I have time I will do some more!

[@sarahgoesoutside]

Really great demo! Thank you for sharing.

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks Sarah. Glad you found it useful

[@radharcanna]

Very helpful techniques. Thank you.

[@Linocutboy]

Glad you found it helpful

[@Saggezzasaphira]

Thank you! :)

[@tubbyk9127]

Thank you so much. This was very helpful

[@Linocutboy]

Glad you found it useful

[@a.r.3742]

Really helpful. Thank you.

[@Linocutboy]

Glad you found it useful!

[@user642a2]

Thanks for sharing . Very useful video

[@soussaabbes7018]

Thank you very much.

[@bettinade6831]

Thank you! This is so helpful. I like the calm style you explain it :)

[@Linocutboy]

Glad you liked it!

[@amelia_hemmingsprintmaker379]

I’m so glad you’re doing video tutorials! I learned so much when I went on your 2 day workshop, I loved it. Looking forward to watching them all 😊 .

[@Linocutboy]

Thanks Amelia!