{"id":50322,"title":"From Lino to Legend","description":"As all of my designs start out as lino prints, I thought I\u2019d explore that process a little here.","content":"

As all of my designs start out as lino prints, I thought I\u2019d explore that process a little here.<\/p>

I got into lino printing in 2024. My kids (well... my husband) got me a lino printing set for Mother\u2019s Day the year before, and I finally got round to giving it a go. I was hooked!<\/p>

I start off by sketching a pencil drawing of the ghosts. I\u2019ve created a template of the ghost and the frame, which I use as a guide for size and proportions so each ghost has some uniformity. That said, I like to alter each one slightly so every little ghost has a different shape\u2014which I hope adds to their personality- as well as their individual hats (my youngest is obsessed with hats and, inspired by her, I had to make them a feature!)<\/p>

Once I\u2019m happy with the sketch (the ghosts come easily, but the little icons in the frames take a bit more thinking), I draw it again on tracing paper, which I then press onto a lino block. I go over that in Sharpie\u2014seasoned lino printers are probably shaking their heads at this process, but it works for me! The repetition of drawing the ghost helps me get to know them and guides me when I start to cut.<\/p>

\"AnMy favourite bit: cutting! I love carving up the block and seeing the ghost come to life. The ghosts holding items that extend from their 'bodies' are the trickiest\u2014it's easy to get confused between carved and non-carved areas. For example, what\u2019s printed in black on the ghost is not carved, and what\u2019s white in the frame is carved. There have been some tears when I get it wrong\u2014I either start again or adjust the design, depending on the size of the mistake.<\/p>

The printing part takes longer than I initially expected\u2014not just getting the print right (I like the black being patchy on the frames, as I feel it adds to the print and gives it a ghostly, aged feel), but also the waiting for it to dry. I\u2019m not a patient woman...<\/p>

Once they\u2019re dry, I pick out a favourite and photograph it. After a little digital tweaking to isolate the frame or the ghost, they\u2019re added to the designs in the shop.<\/p>

So far, I have five designs in the store\u2014but there are so many more planned!<\/p>

If there isn\u2019t a ghost you\u2019ve clicked with just yet, keep an eye out for my next designs. Maybe next time, you\u2019ll meet your perfect ethereal pen-pal.<\/p>","urlTitle":"from-lino-to-legend","url":"\/blog\/from-lino-to-legend\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/from-lino-to-legend\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/deadthreadsociety.teemill.com\/blog\/from-lino-to-legend\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1751143277,"updatedAt":1751313383,"publishedAt":1751313383,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":290601,"name":"Dead Thread Society"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/b67xifrj6e8sfbsb5paicyddj3ckiomyyqy3omsgatcslvt2.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/b67xifrj6e8sfbsb5paicyddj3ckiomyyqy3omsgatcslvt2.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/b67xifrj6e8sfbsb5paicyddj3ckiomyyqy3omsgatcslvt2.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":50320,"title":"Introductions!","url":"\/blog\/the-design-phase\/","urlTitle":"the-design-phase","division":290601,"description":"How my ghostly designs come to after-life.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/v5rzp17yl9ldiz4kdrifqgqzoz9a3c9i5vm9vztqtxlpeki7.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=2.1&fx=0.30439539289345&fy=0.34083061309787","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/v5rzp17yl9ldiz4kdrifqgqzoz9a3c9i5vm9vztqtxlpeki7.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=2.1&fx=0.30439539289345&fy=0.34083061309787"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}