Progressive Destruction

I recently listed  this book,  Picasso Linocuts 1958-1963, by Donald H. Karshan (Tudor Publishing, 1968).

The book showcases Picasso's linocut prints, made by the "progressive destruction" method, in which he printed many colors from the same linoleum block; printing one color, then carving away more of the same block, then printing the next color, and so on.  By the time he was done, most of the block would have been carved away, "destroyed."

Linoleum block printing is a fun and easy way to print, especially if it's not really linoleum block printing, but printmaking using "easy cut", a kind of rubbery print block sold at art supply stores.  (Real linoleum is available too, but I find its hard surface hard to carve, and thus easy for the hand holding the carving tool to slip and nick fingers, ouch.)

Here are some examples of very simple postcards I've been printing with both the progressive destruction method and just a straight relief method (the block is not destroyed and can be used again).

Click on the photo to enlarge.

It's fun to print the different layers of ink and see what happens as texture builds up and colors change.