It was only June when I had my first attempt at linocutting, a medium invented by the Die Brucke artists whom I studied for my final major project of year 1 of my BTEC course. I really struggled. I know practice makes perfect etc and I probably didn’t put in as much effort as I needed to BUT as I am preparing myself to go back to college in September (I am SO looking forward to it), one challenge is prominent in my mind; Printmaking.
Last year we did the 3D Award as an extra bonus, and this year we are tackling printmaking. I love the idea, the process and mostly the outcomes but honestly I am so shocking at linocutting! I have so much respect for anyone who linocuts, and Mark Andrew Webber certainly deserves A LOT of my respect!
This man has linocut typographical maps of Paris, London, Amsterdam and New York. They are all amazingly beautiful!
London:
As with all linocuts, the design must be back-to-front for it to print correctly – as if linocutting wasn’t hard enough already! Haha
Just look how amazing the letterforms look – almost perfect! Also, can you spot Harrods? Clue: It’s even written in the original Harrod’s typeface!
This is the final print and I love how the centre has been printed in red ink 
The Paris map has to be my favourite though…
It’s all written in French, took Webber 2 months to complete working non-stop (such dedication!), is 1.8 metres by 1.5 metres(aka BIG) and !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have actually no word worthy to describe it, I’m speechless!
He has expressed some difficulty in being able to get it printed(due to the massive size), but recently found a printer, YAY!
With limited stock of 300, Webber’s map of Amsterdam is currently selling on his website for £100 + P&P which for a student is obviously a lot of money… but I would actually LOVE/ADORE a print of the Paris map when he finally prints some(Anyone feeling generous enough to buy me/donate a print – it will be recieved with MUCH delight and are VERY welcome!) . The only problem is, where would I put it? If I owned a house I would put it on display for everyone to see the beauty!
Whilst browsing through the rest of his website I came across some other work he did for The Guardian newspaper which I think I am drawn to because of the shiny surface of the lino after some red ink had been applied:
But then, the print is nice too! Look at the crispness of that massive lowercase g!
