Sheep – Original Reduction Linocut Print (2025) Linocut by Jennie Smallenbroek

Bring warmth, tranquillity, and timeless craftsmanship into your home with this original hand-pulled reduction linocut print of a sheep. Printed in my countryside studio in the Netherlands, this artwork is available in a limited edition of only 10 prints. Built up from 12 carefully printed layers of Caligo Safe Wash oil-based ink, it has rich colours, beautiful depth, and a wonderfully tactile quality.
Surrounded by delicate decorative textures, the sheep radiates peace, simplicity, and the quiet beauty of rural life.

Inspired by the Countryside
My studio is located in the Dutch countryside, where I spend my days surrounded by the sounds of sheep grazing, horses neighing, and goats wandering nearby. Animals are a constant source of inspiration and joy, making them a recurring subject in my work.
The design is influenced by the elegant lines and flowing ornamentation of Art Nouveau, particularly the work of William Morris and Alphonse Mucha. Their timeless style gives this peaceful sheep a decorative yet classic character.

Every Print is Unique
This is a variable edition, meaning that every print is hand-pulled and therefore subtly different. The sheep's fleece, in particular, varies slightly from one print to another in texture and tone. Because I ink each layer by hand and occasionally mix the colours a little differently, every impression has its own individual character.
When ordering, you can select a specific edition number and view an enlarged photograph of that exact print before making your choice.

The Reduction Linocut Process
This artwork is created using the traditional reduction linocut technique. After each colour is printed, more of the linoleum block is carved away before the next layer can be added. Once a section has been removed, it can never be replaced, making every stage permanent and requiring careful planning, precision, and patience.
This print consists of 12 carving and printing stages, and the entire process took more than two months to complete. On YouTube, you can watch me carefully lifting the paper from the block after each layer—a fascinating glimpse into this traditional
printmaking process.

Specifications
Image size: 30 × 30 cm (11.8 × 11.8 inches)
Paper size: 35 × 35 cm (13.8 × 13.8 inches) – Fabriano 300 gsm
Framed size (optional): 40 × 40 cm (15.7 × 15.7 inches) with white passe-partout
Printing technique: 12-layer reduction linocut
Edition: Limited to only 10 prints
Printed with: Caligo Safe Wash oil-based ink
Hand-printed
Available: With frame

Whether displayed on its own or combined with the other animal linocuts in my collection, this peaceful sheep brings a sense of calm, craftsmanship, and the beauty of the countryside into your home.

Materials used:

oilpaint

Details:

• Linocut on Paper
• From a limited edition of 10
• Size: 39.88 x 39.88 x 4.57cm (framed) / 29.01 x 29.01cm (actual image size)
• Framed and ready to hang
• Signed and numbered on the front
• Style: Graphic
• Subject: Animals and birds