Here I have used a stencil outline of a norse man and woman, and then cut into the wood block using lino cutting tools. It took awhile and I ended up with a sore thumb, but nonetheless I persevered.
The wood blocks were then inked over with oil based inks (mixed with linseed oil) using various colours and then run through a printing press. I did several of the same prints to create a repeated pattern look on my art work which was then transformed into the final one being an empty skull .... get the picture.
When using oil based inks put your colour down on a sheet of glass with a spatula and then use another sheet of glass to transfer those colours onto your glass and mix with linseed oil. Then use your roller to get the correct consistency, then apply onto your wood block. From here place a sheet onto your press, then carefully put the block face down and then put another sheet over top and put through the press.
After it has gone through remove carefully and let dry and then you can also apply another colour if you wish.
It's very messy (which I enjoy) so cleaning up may not be much fun if you work like me. A tip: it's good to have canola oil to wipe most of the ink off your hands. Use turps to clean up everything else (roller and glass and glass spatulas). Don't use baby oil to clean up your hands as this is petroleum based and is not good.
