Wondering about printing linocuts without a press? Learn how to make a linocut vector illustration that has the look of a handmade linocut or woodcut design in Adobe Illustrator.
We'll start by creating woodcut brushes for Illustrator from scratch, then we'll do a beautiful and simple linocut design. However, if you don't have the time to do digital linocut art from scratch, we've got a solution for you.
Envato Elements offers unlimited linocut and woodcut brushes for Illustrator with your subscription. Find amazing Adobe Illustrator brushes that will save you a lot of time and will give you a professional result, like this one:
Scroll down after this Illustrator woodcut effect tutorial to see a hand-picked selection! To find out even more about brushes in Adobe Illustrator, check out my course Mastering Brushes in Illustrator, also on the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:
What You'll Learn in This Illustrator Woodcut Effect Tutorial
- How to create the linocut art brushes
- How to create the pattern brushes
- How to save your linocut art brushes
- How to draw the branch for your linocut design
- How to draw the bird for your linocut design
- How to add the finishing touches to your woodcut illustrations
1. How to Create the Linocut Art Brushes
When creating a linocut print, artists use special tools to carve designs into a linoleum block. The raised (uncarved) areas of the block form the image. The carved linoleum block is covered with ink, then printed onto paper or fabric. Because the artist removes material from the block to create the image, this is called a "subtractive" or "reductive" process.
Step 1
We want to mimic the shapes of the cuts that a gouge tool makes. Then we'll use those shapes as the basis for a set of Art Brushes. To create the shapes, choose the Blob Brush Tool (Shift-B) and double-click it to bring up its options.
Input the settings shown below.
An "Accurate" Fidelity setting will result in more detailed and rougher shapes, which is desirable for a hand-carved look. The Variation in size will allow you to draw a stroke that varies in size, depending on the amount of pressure you use with your graphics pen.
Step 2
Draw three or four strokes with the Blob Brush Tool, pressing down harder on one end and using a lighter touch at the other (if using a graphics tablet), resulting in a tapered shape. If using a mouse, double back on one end to make the resulting shape thicker. You can also adjust individual points to modify the final shapes. The Blob Brush is not technically a brush, but it's great for quickly drawing loose vector shapes.
Step 3
Select one of the shapes you just created, and then click the New Brush icon at the bottom of the Brushes panel. Alternately, you can drag the object into the panel.
Choose Art Brush as the type.
Step 4
In the dialog box, give your new brush a name, and enter the following settings. The Width can be set to Pressure if you're using a tablet, or left at Fixed if using a mouse. If set to Pressure, you can vary the width based on the percentages you choose in the two sliders. Choose Stretch to Fit Stroke Length in the next section. Below that, make sure the directional arrow begins with the wide part of the shape and ends at the narrow part. Lastly, set the Colorization method to Hue Shift. This is important because we will be changing the color of the brushes in a later step. (Read our separate tutorial for more on how Colorization works.)
Step 5
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 with the other shapes to create more Art Brushes.
Step 6
We'll now create a thin brush to look as if it was carved with a v-shaped gouge. Choose the Line Segment Tool (\) and draw out a horizontal line. Increase its weight to about 4 points. From the drop-down menu in the Control Bar, choose Width Profile 3. You can also access width profiles from the Stroke panel.
Step 7
Create a new Art Brush from this new stroke, as you did in Steps 3 and 4.
Step 8
Keep this stroke selected and apply a Roughen effect by going to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the settings below.
Step 9
Once again, drag this object into the Brushes panel to create a new Art Brush. At this point, your Brushes panel should look something like the image below:
Step 10
Many linocuts have marks in the negative space—that is, the area around the main subject matter. We can simulate this effect with a few more Art Brushes. Using the Pen Tool (P), draw some simple shapes like the ones in the image below:
Step 11
As before, create new Art Brushes from these shapes.
Step 12
Unlike a real printmaker, we don't have to make each mark by hand. We can create Art Brushes that contain multiple strokes and use them to apply texture to larger sections of our illustration. Using the Blob Brush, Pen Tool, or any other drawing tools you prefer, create a few groups containing multiple objects. Then create Art Brushes as before. Below are some examples:
Step 13
Let's create one more Art Brush, for a lighter texture. Start by double-clicking the Pencil Tool (N) to bring up its options. Use a fairly smooth setting, and click the Fill new pencil strokes option.
Now draw out several quick, simple strokes. Drag this group to the Brushes panel to create another Art Brush.
Your Brushes panel should now look something like this:
2. How to Create the Pattern Brushes
Relief prints, such as linocuts and woodcuts, can only produce one solid color at a time. There's no way to get a tint or shade of a color in a one-color print. To create highlights, relief printmakers use crosshatching, or a series of small, repeating strokes. For this technique, we'll create some Pattern Brushes.
Step 1
Draw a few pencil strokes as you did above, but this time, make them vertical.
Step 2
Take the Blob Brush Tool (Shift-B) and connect the pencil strokes at the bottom. The result is one shape, as in the image below:
Step 3
If we were to use this shape as it is to create a Pattern Brush, there would be space between the individual components:
To fix this, draw a rectangle around the shape, and trim off a clean line on the bottom and sides. The quickest way to do this is by using the Shape Builder Tool (Shift-M). Hold down the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows), and remove the excess.
Step 4
Just as you did with the Art Brushes, select the object and click the New Brush icon at the bottom of the Brushes panel. Or just drag the object into the panel.
The Pattern Brush Options should look something like the image below. You only have to concern yourself with the Side Tile (highlighted). Tick Stretch to fit, and be sure to use Hue Shift as the Colorization method.
Optional: In Illustrator CC and later, you can choose automated corner tiles for Outer and Inner Corner Tiles. We probably won't be using too many right angles in the illustration, so if you're using an earlier version of Illustrator, don't worry about it.
3. How to Save Your Linocut Art Brushes
Step 1
Now that you've put a lot of time into creating all these brushes, you can save them to use in any Illustrator document. Click the flyout menu on the top right of the Brushes panel and choose Save Brush Library. You will then be taken to the Brushes folder inside the Adobe Illustrator folder, where you can give the set a name and save it. It will save as a native Illustrator (.ai) file.
Step 2
When you want to use these brushes in another document, click the Brush Libraries Menu at the bottom of the Brushes panel, or click the flyout menu at the top right, and choose Open Brush Library > User Defined, and then choose your brushes.
4. How to Draw the Branch for Your Linocut Design
Since a linocut is a reductive process, I'm going to start with a black shape and then apply the brushes in white, so they look cut out of the black. The remaining black areas will "print."
Step 1
I'm using this Creative Commons photo as a reference. You can of course use your own photo or sketch. Draw a simple branch shape, using the Pen Tool (P). Even though my reference photo does not have a branch, I'm going to add one for more visual interest. Make another path that follows the top edge of the branch shape. This will be the highlight.
Step 2
Select the highlight path and apply the Pattern Brush to it by clicking its thumbnail in the Brushes panel. Change the stroke color to white.
Step 3
If the stroke is too big or too small, you can change its point size in the Stroke panel. Alternatively, you can click the Options of Selected Object icon at the bottom of the Brushes panel and change its size from there. This lets you fine-tune the appearance of the selected path.
Step 4
Draw two more paths inside the branch shape. Apply one of the texture brushes to give a woody texture. If necessary, adjust the scale of each path. Keep it simple. The finished branch is below.
5. How to Draw the Bird for Your Linocut Design
Step 1
Draw a silhouette of the bird and fill it with black. You can do this quickly, using the Blob Brush Tool (Shift-B) or Pencil Tool (N). It doesn't have to be precise because we're going for a hand-drawn look. Lock the silhouette shape.
Step 2
Just as you did with the branch, draw a line for the highlight of each leg. Adjust the scale of the stroke if need be. In the example below, the width of the stroke is 0.5 point, and the scale (in the Stroke Options) is about 90%.
Step 3
Start adding some white strokes to the head of the bird. Remember to think like a printmaker: By adding white strokes in Illustrator, it's as if you're removing sections of the black shape to create white (non-printing) areas of the print.
Step 4
Using some of the texture brushes you created earlier, draw some strokes inside the wings. We're not trying to draw every single feather here, but just create a nice texture.
Use a simpler brush on the lower sections of the wing, where the feathers are longer.
Here's the wing in Outline mode:
Step 5
For the tail feathers, use the Pattern Brush we created in Section 3. You can use the Width Tool (Shift-W) on any kind of stroke, including Pattern Brushes. In the image below, I am making the top of the stroke wider:
Here I've used the Width Tool to make the other end of the stroke narrower. After you adjust the width, you can add more points to the stroke to make it follow the contour of the feather shape.
Step 6
As you did in Step 4 above, draw some textured strokes for the breast feathers. Try not to make all the strokes look alike. You can click the Options of Selected Object icon on the Brushes panel, and then tick the Flip Across button for a different look.
Add some of the lighter texture brushes to the upper part of the breast.
Use the Blob Brush Tool (Shift-B) to paint a white area near the top of the breast.
Step 7
Add some black strokes around the outline of the bird to break up the smooth surface of the silhouette.
6. How to Add Finishing Touches to Your Woodcut Illustrations
Step 1
Using the negative space brushes you made in Section 1, Step 10, add some strokes around the outside of the bird. This will add some "process marks" and give the illustration a more handmade look.
Step 2
Now we'll add a watercolor wash to the bird's breast. Click the Brush Libraries Menu icon at the bottom of the Brushes panel. Navigate to Artistic > Artistic_Watercolor.
Paint a loose, curved stroke with a thick watercolor brush. Make the stroke color orange.
Experiment with the stroke weight. You'll find that a thicker stroke gives a more abstract effect. Change the Blending Mode to Multiply in the Transparency panel.
Copy (Command-C) this watercolor stroke and Paste in Front (Command-F) three or four times for a more saturated look.
Step 3
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), draw a rectangle around the illustration where you want to crop it. Copy the rectangle. Select All and go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make.
Step 4
Paste the rectangle you just copied in front. Apply any of the linocut brushes to create a frame around your "print". Add some more small marks around the edges and in the negative space for a more authentic look.
Congratulations! Your Woodcut Illustration Is Done!
Now you know how to make a linocut design in Adobe Illustrator. You've built and saved the set of linocut brushes, so you can use them to create similar woodcut illustrations. Just remember to think like a printmaker and remove the non-printing areas with white brushes. Working with vector brushes in this way has an advantage over traditional media: you have complete control over the vector paths, and you don't get your hands dirty!
5 Top Illustrator Woodcut Effect Brushes for Your Next Design
If you enjoy digital illustration and you use Illustrator on a daily basis, you need to check out Envato Elements. This subscription-based marketplace offers you unlimited Adobe Illustrator brushes and add-ons. Find graphics, textures, patterns, fonts, and more, and download as many as you wish.
Envato Elements is the best solution for printing linocuts without a press. Here are a few of our favorite linocut brushes for Illustrator.
1. Linocut Brushes for Illustrator (AI)
This kit of Adobe Illustrator brushes comes with 35 linocut brushes. And the best part? These handmade brushes will make your linocut designs super realistic!
2. Linocut Art Brushes (EPS)
Here's another great kit of linocut brushes for Illustrator. Make incredible digital woodcut illustrations without any special equipment. This is your answer to printing linocuts without a press.
3. Illuminati Woodcut Brushes for Illustrator (AI, EPS)
If you're a fan of elegant woodcut illustrations, this kit of woodcut brushes for Illustrator is for you. The download includes 42 hand-crafted vintage woodcut brushes that are ready for your next project.
4. Modern Woodcut Brushes (AI)
On the other hand, if you prefer woodcut illustrations with a modern touch, this is the kit for you. You'll get over 100 Adobe Illustrator brushes with a vast range of shapes, sizes, and varieties. There's a brush for every task!
If you are a tablet user, you'll also find a version of brushes with pressure sensitivity, so it's a super complete set!
5. Cookbook for Woodcuts: Brushes and Patterns (AI)
This pack is perfect for fans of classic linocut art and linocut designs. It comes with 55 no-stretch (pattern-based) woodcut brushes for Illustrator and 15 seamless woodcut patterns. Definitely a great option!
Discover More Illustrator Brush Tutorials and Resources
I hope you've enjoyed this Illustrator woodcut effect tutorial. If you're looking for even more resources for your creative projects, check these out:
How to Install and Use Brushes in Adobe Illustrator
How to Make a Watercolor Brush in Adobe Illustrator
How to Set the Brush Pressure in Illustrator
How to Create a Stipple Brush In Illustrator (+5 Top Stippling Brushes)
How to Use the Blob Brush Tool in Illustrator
How to Make, Use, and Manipulate a Calligraphic Brush in Adobe Illustrator
How to Vector Hair With Brushes in Adobe Illustrator
A Huge Compilation of 40 Free Illustrator Brushes
Create a Quick and Easy Tranquil Sky in Adobe Illustrator
Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Maria Villanueva. Maria is the Associate Editor of the Tuts+ Design channel.
