Essdee SoftCut Printmaking and Carving Blocks (Pack of 2) 200x150mm 3.0/SC3-2

easy to use

Really great for linocut. It is super soft and easy to cut. I like the colour as I could see my traced pattern better than the dark coloured lino I used before. I used with Essdee water based ink and the two are compatible and my prints turned out perfectly. I will be buying again.

Is inked up well and gave a good print. I do wonder if a slightly harder material would give crisper lines but this worked well for what I wanted it to do

I hadn't done any lino cutting before, so I can't compare. However, this stuff was really easy to carve, almost too easy! I drew my design, a bird, on to the lino with a biro (not ideal but it doesn't matter as it gets cut away). Then used a v shaped tool to cut the lines. I have a selection of tools but used this same one for this design. I then rollered on some acrylic paint, pressed my thin cotton fabric on to the lino, and rubbed away. I used a small clean hard roller and my hands. When I lifted the cloth off, voila! I had a fabulous bird outlined in the faded blue background. You are really supposed to use ink but I didn't have any and was eager to try it. Plus the faded effect was just what I wanted. I couldn't believe how good it looks! This stuff is going to be a great boon to me. I may try and get some larger sheets.

Much better than traditional Lino to carve

Always buy this brand. Really easy to cut into.

I thought this medium would be much softer than lino. Will continue to practice as already brought.

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