Introducing: Dan Singer has a way with linocuts which we cannot resist

Dan Singer burst fresh from the seams of Kingston’s Illustration and Animation BA in May, and he has wasted no time about getting his work into the world. He’s currently relying on friends with comfy sofas and goodwill to keep him away from his hometown Kent, so we were all the more chuffed when he popped in last week to show us what he’s been up to.

His aptitude for making linocuts is quite something to behold; by layering different coloured inks one on top of the other he creates new shades where others overlap, resulting in really carefully crafted and well executed prints which map foliage, patterns and shapes. We caught up with Dan to hear more about his process and his admiration of craftsmanship, the best cereal Asda has to offer and the favourite addition to his ever growing VHS collection.

Where do you work?

Since graduating from Kingston I haven’t really had anywhere to work properly because I’ve been moving about a lot staying with friends, but I have a great desk back at home. It’s just a door that I got reduced from B&Q, with two trestles underneath it. 

How does your working day start?

My day normally starts with a bowl of Asda’s fake version of that Lion Bar cereal, whilst watching some skate footage. If I know I am going to be inside working all day I’ll go on a bike ride to get rid of some energy. Once I’m back I’ll check emails and look at some books before I crack on with work for the day, either working on ideas in my sketchbook or cutting out a lino plate ready to print.

How do you work and how has that changed?

My passion lies in craftsmanship and my work is predominantly print based, specialising in linocut. Since I first started making linocuts about four years ago at college I’ve wanted to learn more about the process, and with every bit of knowledge I pick up I try to find a way to apply it to my own work. I used to work in single layers with only black ink, but now I find myself working with up to four layers to make one image. I’ve learnt a lot about colour through printmaking, by layering colours over each other to make new ones. This saves you a lot of unnecessary work.

Where would we find you when you’re not at work?

When I’m not working I will be skateboarding down Stockwell skatepark, and if it’s raining I’ll be hunting for old VHS tapes to add to my ever-growing collection. The one VHS tape I treasure the most is called Ninja in the Killing Field, and it has a holographic cover! 

Would you intern for yourself?

If Dan had to intern for Dan? Haha yeah, I would get things done twice as fast!