Edition Eight Feature
Words by: Gareth Barnes
Location: Leeds, England, UK
Photo Credit: ©Mat Dale @matdalephoto

My linocuts are inspired by the natural world, history, surrealism and vintage illustration. I like playing with conventional subject matter by combining things in unusual ways, often blending fine detail with more graphic elements. I like to think that it adds an interesting and intriguing twist.

When I wasn’t making sourdough bread like the rest of the locked-down world, I started printing in late 2020. I had a good bash at carving a lino block and got totally hooked. Since then, I’ve been working hard to improve my craft and have always had at least one print on the go. There have been some fun commissions along the way too.

I use a mix of lino printing techniques – from applying just a single colour to the multi-block technique. Then there’s the reduction method, where you carve away each layer as you go. This approach can make for beautiful results but it also introduces much more room for error, which can be quite unnerving. I like having so many creative options and flick between them from project to project – it keeps things fresh and interesting. I love working with all the various materials, such as lightweight Japanese papers or oil-based inks, and understanding how they behave.