Printmaking Meets Collage: Behind-the-Scenes of my Latest Work

Wondering how an idea turns into reality for a mixed media artist? Here's a look into the ideation and creation of my latest work.

Here's how I work...

• Concept Brainstorm

• Thumbnail Sketch

• Transfer to Linoleum and Carving Process

• Print

• Collage

Concept Brainstorm

Usually, I like to start creating a piece by first thinking of ideas I would like to portray. This usually means writing in complete sentences, and piecing together what I want to show the viewer. For this work, I wanted to explore the moments in horror media where the main character gives up before even trying, sometimes when the solution is revealed to be right around the corner. The main thought surrounding this piece is the quote "Is it better to speak, or to die?"

Exerpt from Sketchbook

Thumbnail Sketch

The next step in my process is creating a sketch for the final piece. I sometimes will use a reference image. For this piece, I was inspired by the death of a zombie in The Walking Dead, who got shot through their frontal lobe ith an arrow. This shockingly stark composition was exactly the sort of tone I was looking for.

Exerpt from Sketchbook

Carving Process

The next part of the process is transferring the sketch onto a linoleum pad. This is where I will carve out the image. It's always important to remeber that the printed image will be reversed, so you will have to create a backwards sketch on the linoleum.

Tip: Use a sharpie to have a clear understanding of what parts of your sketch will need to stay uncarved, only carve the white parts of your image!

Cut from linoleum rectangle, originally 18x24"

Print

Now, it’s time to print. I printed my carving onto bristol board using a large printing press. I was extremely pleased with the amount of detail the print captured! 

Collage

Next, I wanted to add colored collage around the print. I usually find my collage materials from art stores and bookstores around me. For this piece, I wanted to highlight the deep red of the blood, so I used bright warm colors to surround the figure like a storm of blood. With that, here’s a look at the finished piece!