In a linocut, what does the artist primarily remove from the linoleum block?

In a linocut, the artist primarily removes the negative spaces from the linoleum block. This technique involves carving away the areas that will not be inked, leaving raised surfaces that form the image when printed. The process emphasizes the contrast between the inked positive areas (the parts that remain uncut) and the negative spaces (the cut-away areas), which ultimately allows for a bold and graphic aesthetic typical of linocuts.

The focus on negative spaces is essential to achieving the desired image; by strategically removing material, the artist creates a composition that stands out after printing. This method enables artists to play with shapes and forms effectively, as the visibility of the image relies on where they carve.