Multicolor Reduction Linocuts: Planning and Printing
May 2 @ 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
$302.00A 2-Day In-Studio Workshop!
Saturday-Sunday, May 2-3, 10:30am-3:30pm
View our current in-studio Health and Safety and Cancellation Policies >>
About this Workshop:
Creating reduction linocuts is a way of adding color to relief prints, by using the same block multiple times, layering ink and carving areas away in between each printing. The advantage of the technique is that it makes registration, and carving each color easier and faster, because you are working with the same block each round. In this 2-day workshop, students will learn the difference between reduction and multiblock prints, and learn how to plan, carve and print a small reduction linocut. We’ll discuss best practices for carving and printing, paper selection, registration with and without Ternes Burton Pins, ink modifiers, printing on different presses, and tips on getting your blocks to print properly. Students will come away with a small edition of reduction prints, and the knowledge to plan, carve and print reduction prints on their own. Basic knowledge of lino cutting is preferred, but not absolutely necessary if you think you are a quick learner.
Level: Beginner/Intermediate – Some experience with relief printmaking (Introduction to Linoleum Relief Printmaking) or similar (6hrs) is recommended but not required.
Registration closes April 23, 2026. Material fees are included with your registration to cover the supplies provided in class. Students may/will need to gather/purchase additional materials for class (see the materials list below). This list will also be provided with the registration confirmation email.
Sample images by Mirka Hokkanen
CLASS MATERIALS LIST:
Registration includes a $38 materials fee to cover all of the necessary materials for class, including carving blocks, ink, and paper, as well as access to carving tools. Students may want to bring additional materials of their own, including:
- (optional) Personal apron (we’ll have extras) and/or wear clothes that can get inky
- (optional) Your own personal set of linoleum carving tools – Speedball Linoleum Cutter (most affordable option), Flexcut, and/or E.C. Lyons carving tools are all great options
- (optional) Sketchbook if you’d like to take notes or work out design ideas
- A ideas/sketches or two for the print you’d like to complete, sized to fit a 6×8″ block
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Mirka Hokkanen is a Finnish-American freelance illustrator, author, and printmaker. She moved to the U.S. in 1998 to attend Rockford College in Illinois (BFA 2002). She then received both Master of Arts (2004) and Master of Fine Arts (2006) degrees in printmaking from University of Dallas, TX. As a military spouse and almost a dozen moves into her career, Mirka has had the opportunity to be an active part in many art communities, teaching, speaking, and organizing events. Her nature themed art has won awards and been shown in galleries around the world. She currently sits on the board of the Wood Engravers Network and is the Illustrator Coordinator for the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, Maryland chapter. Learn more about her work at www.mirkah.com.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING:
“The teacher did an excellent job breaking down the class into easy to follow steps. She was so encouraging. There was a wealth of resources and samples to look at and she was able to answer so many questions. It was an amazing class!”
—Workshop participant, Beginning Wood Engraving with Mirka Hokkanen