Project Calm – July 2019

PINK

PAISLEY

Create a little of the Jaipur block printing magic at home with this

simple linocut technique. Our writer, Pragya Agarwal, is also a print

maker who runs Hedge and Hog Prints. Here are her expert tips.

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The buta, or boteh is a teardrop shaped design seen

commonly across India. The f loral ornamental pattern,

believed to be a symbol of fertility, is supposed to have

originated in Iran, but was brought to India by the

Mughals in 1500s.

Since then, it has been seen as an ornamental feature

in textiles, wall decorations and jewellery. My mother

used to call this motif ‘ambi’ or the mango motif. It

became widely known as paisley after it was brought

back by the East India Company during the British rule

in India in the 18th century.

A paisley template

Small and large v-blade

Linocut sheet

Water-based relief printmaking inks (white and red)

Brayer (roller)

Baren (burnishing tool) or a wooden spoon

Paper

Tracing paper

A glass plate or flat plastic tray for inking

Thin black ink pen

MATERIALS

LINOCUT WORKSHOPS

Pragya runs workshops from her home studio next to

the sea. Ready-made linocut kits are also available at

hedgeandhogprints.com

Some baby wipes are useful to wipe off those pesky

ink marks from your hands or the lino block.

HELPFUL TIP

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