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Part 7: The Magic of Color I – The ‘Reduction Method’ for Multi-Color Prints

Once you’re accustomed to the stark intensity of single-color linocuts, it’s time to venture into the world of color. Among the various techniques for creating multi-color prints, one of the most unique and captivating is the ‘reduction method.’ Perfected by Pablo Picasso, this is an innovative way to print multiple colors in layers from a single block.

7.1. What is the Reduction Method?

The reduction method, as its name implies, involves progressively ‘reducing’ the block as you work. Instead of creating a separate block for each color, you reuse a single linoleum block to build up layers of color. The process is as follows: first, you print the first color (usually the lightest). Then, you carve away the areas on that same block that you want the next color to show through. The second color is then printed precisely over all the sheets you printed before. This cycle of carving and printing is repeated for each desired color.

The most significant feature of this technique is that ‘you can’t go back.’ Once you carve the block and print the next color, the previous state of the block is gone forever. This requires careful planning and decisive action at each carving stage, as mistakes are irreversible. This non-reversible nature has earned it the rather dramatic nickname ‘suicide print.’ Also, the entire edition (number of prints) must be decided when printing the first color, as it’s impossible to print more later. The process itself becomes a record of the passage of time and the artist’s decisions, giving the final artwork a unique meaning as the result of an irreversible journey.

7.2. The Essential Element: Perfect Registration

The success of the reduction method depends on how accurately each color layer is aligned. This precise alignment process is called ‘registration.’ Even a slight error can cause colors to shift or misalign, ruining the entire piece, so having an accurate registration system is essential.

Making a Simple Jig: The most basic method is to create an ‘L’ shaped guide using thick cardboard or matboard. By fixing this guide to a corner of your workspace and always aligning your block and paper to this corner, you can maintain a consistent position.
Ternes Burton Pins and Tabs: A more professional and precise method. Two thin metal pins are fixed to a baseboard, and all the papers to be printed are fitted with plastic tabs that have holes matching the pins. Each time you print, you simply fit the paper’s tabs onto the pins on the baseboard, ensuring the paper is placed in the exact same position every time. This is the most reliable system for precise multi-color work.

7.3. Step-by-Step Guide to the Reduction Linocut Process

The reduction method is a process that requires meticulous planning. Here is a general step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Plan: Sketch the final result, and plan the order of colors (usually from lightest to darkest) and which parts to carve at each stage. Preparing a color sketch can help reduce confusion during the process.
Step 2: Carve the ‘White’: First, carve away the areas that should remain the white of the paper in the final image. These parts will not be inked at any stage.
Step 3: Print the First Color (Lightest): Set up your registration system. Apply the first planned color (e.g., yellow) to the carved block and print it on all the prepared sheets of paper. This determines the total number of prints in your edition.
Step 4: Clean the Block: Thoroughly clean the first color ink from the block.
Step 5: Carve the ‘First Color’: Now, carve away the areas that you want to remain ‘yellow’ in the final image. These areas will now be preserved as yellow and will not receive any more ink.
Step 6: Print the Second Color: Mix the second color (e.g., red) and apply it to the block. Then, using your registration system, print it exactly over all the sheets that were printed with yellow in Step 3. The artwork will now show white, yellow, and the newly printed red.
Step 7: Repeat: Repeat the ‘clean-carve-print’ process for the desired number of colors. Typically, the darkest color (e.g., black) is printed last to define the overall outlines and contrast, completing the image.

The reduction method demands a high level of concentration and planning, but it is a uniquely appealing technique that allows for the creation of rich colors and depth from a single block.

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