FEATURE

Lithography

An image is painted, drawn or stencilled onto a slab of limestone or a metal plate (often aluminium) with oily materials, including greasy crayons and pencils, special ink called tusche, and photochemical transfers.

TECHNIQUE

Lithography

An image is painted, drawn or stencilled onto a slab of limestone or a metal plate (often aluminium) with oily materials, including greasy crayons and pencils, special ink called tusche, and photochemical transfers.

The image is treated with gum arabic and nitric acid to fix the image areas from the non-printing areas.

When inking up the stone or metal with a roller, the surface is kept wet, so that the oil-based ink only sticks to the image area. Paper is then placed down and the stone or plate is run through a press.

More printmaking techniques

Linocut

In this relief printing process, an image is carved or etched into a sheet of linoleum. Ink is applied to the lino using a roller; the cut-away areas do not pick up ink. Paper is placed down onto the image and either printed on a press or printed by hand.

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Drypoint

Using a sharp pointed tool like an etching needle, an image is scratched into a flat polished sheet of metal such as copper or aluminium. Plastic or card can also be used.

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Monotype

Monotype is a way of making a unique print that cannot be repeated. Using methods from painting and drawing, ink is applied to a surface, and marks can be added or taken away from the surface.

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More Features

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Artist talk: SooMin Leong

In this video presentation, SooMin discusses her practice, the importance of landscape in her images and how walking can change how we experience the world.

Video

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Soft ground

Soft ground was invented in the latter half of the eighteenth century as a means of reproducing the grainy qualities of chalk work. It was first used in England by Gainsborough and artists of the Norwich School.

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“I think all visual art is a metaphor”

Following a previous career as a forensic psychiatrist, James Anderson’s colourful carborundum and layered woodcuts convey the emotion of inner worlds. We discuss abstraction, inspiration and the hard work of practice with him.

Artist:
James Anderson

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