I guess I was feeling creative and had decided to make a non-digital, completely hand-carved version of my business identity. Fifty percent wood, and fifty percent linoleum; and it's all made by me!
If I said I didn't wreck my digits, erm, my fingertips from carving this piece, I'd be only half kidding. Personally, I prefer this particular design and am proud to have created a linoleum stamp of it under two hours.
Yes, it was hard, grueling work, but fun all of the same. I admit I did not really care for the sturdiness of the block, but it was challenging to the point that I could adapt to. The hardest part of it all was engraving my signature onto the 3x4 inch block; however, I did overcome it by using a mounting pin.
The part I had most fun with was trying to second guess the appropriate shape and dimensions of the logo without referring to the originally made digital design.
The most rewarding part of this entire process was the ideal that I am still capable of taking from the marble and creating an original piece I can call my own. Despite of it all, I am really excited to be making more yet to come. This time, hopefully, with gloves and new ideas!!
STEP 1/4
I simply grabbed all of my materials needed. I knew it was going to be messy, so I used an old piece of newspaper. My proper tools for the linoleum block were at my mom's place, so I improved by using an old kitchen knife and a XACTO knife.
The first thing I did was draw with my drafting pencil (0.7mm) onto the linoleum side what I had wanted. Here, you see the slate is clean, but I took a wild estimation of how big or how small I had needed my design to be and had sketched over.
I simply grabbed all of my materials needed. I knew it was going to be messy, so I used an old piece of newspaper. My proper tools for the linoleum block were at my mom's place, so I improved by using an old kitchen knife and a XACTO knife.
The first thing I did was draw with my drafting pencil (0.7mm) onto the linoleum side what I had wanted. Here, you see the slate is clean, but I took a wild estimation of how big or how small I had needed my design to be and had sketched over.
STEP 2/4
Once drawn out, I carefully carved out the outline of the image, and moved the scraps aside. (I usually just throw all of my trash away directly after my project, so that there is less hassle.) Next, I used my white-coloured gel pen to sketch an outline of the next major piece needed to cut out of the linoleum block. I slowly tenderized it with the XACTO knife, so it could be a tish easier to peel out with the kitchen utensil.
Once drawn out, I carefully carved out the outline of the image, and moved the scraps aside. (I usually just throw all of my trash away directly after my project, so that there is less hassle.) Next, I used my white-coloured gel pen to sketch an outline of the next major piece needed to cut out of the linoleum block. I slowly tenderized it with the XACTO knife, so it could be a tish easier to peel out with the kitchen utensil.
STEP 3/4
The moment the 'C' was cut out of the 'D'. I did a little experiment so the final result of my signature would properly appear in reverse on the block, so it can appear appropriately when applied onto whatever medium it is pressed upon. I had grabbed a Sharpie marker and wrote my signature as small as I could so it could fit on my design and turned the sheet around. By tracing it from reverse, I made it easy-to-read so I could re-turn the page to smudge the original with charcoal. I pressed the charcoal side to the underside of my sculpture and rubbed it so it could transfer the signature onto the 'D'.
The moment the 'C' was cut out of the 'D'. I did a little experiment so the final result of my signature would properly appear in reverse on the block, so it can appear appropriately when applied onto whatever medium it is pressed upon. I had grabbed a Sharpie marker and wrote my signature as small as I could so it could fit on my design and turned the sheet around. By tracing it from reverse, I made it easy-to-read so I could re-turn the page to smudge the original with charcoal. I pressed the charcoal side to the underside of my sculpture and rubbed it so it could transfer the signature onto the 'D'.
STEP 4/4
Once applied and transferred, I traced my signature with the white gel pen and let it dry. Finally, I carefully etched the writing with the X-ACTO knife onto the logo and continued to pick at it until it was at least 1mm deep into the linoleum. From there, I rinsed off my block under warm, then cold water; I threw out any trash I had, and I cleansed my tools. The end!
Once applied and transferred, I traced my signature with the white gel pen and let it dry. Finally, I carefully etched the writing with the X-ACTO knife onto the logo and continued to pick at it until it was at least 1mm deep into the linoleum. From there, I rinsed off my block under warm, then cold water; I threw out any trash I had, and I cleansed my tools. The end!
(Pictured above is a digital version of my personal identity's logo. The overall image is a boldly-filled "D" with a "C" inside of it, which signifies my first and last name's initials. Inside of the "C" is my signature to safely identify with who I am.)
