In my last post, I mentioned briefly a couple of characteristics of printing ink. I thought I would take a little bit and elaborate on them, as well as on a couple of the materials that can be used to adjust those characteristics. I should mention here that I basically use two types of ink in my studio: Etching ink [...]
The single most important piece of equipment that a printmaker owns is their press. It is probably also the single most expensive piece of equipment and it may be the heaviest piece of equipment. If you have never been in a print studio though, it may be difficult to imagine what one of these beasties looks like. There are several different types [...]
I have always been fairly particular about the edges of the plate in my etchings. When the image got to the point where it didn't need to go back in the etch again, I would pull out a file and clean the edges up. First, long strokes perpendicular to the face to make everything nice and straight. Then cutting a [...]
I had one of those little 'well of course' moments today. I have been working on an intaglio plate with some very deeply etched areas. I decided that I would add some acrylic gel / carborundum grit to these in place of an aquatint to provide some texture as well as tone. I proofed the plate this morning and noticed [...]
I have been trying to concentrate on improving my productivity in the studio of late. Part of the problem is that there are so many other things that demand my attention. Work on the studio itself, business related issues, submissions, Jack the studio dog... It is hard not to succumb to the 'tyranny of the urgent'. Jack the studio dog [...]
Green is the thing these days. Many artists are concerned with the toxicity of their materials. With good reason. In years past, many artists poisoned themselves with lead, cadmium, dust or solvents. The manipulation of plates and stones has the potential to expose printmakers to more than their fair share of nasty stuff.As a result, many printmakers are switching to [...]
I have recently begun to hand wipe my intaglio plates.For those not familiar with the intaglio processes, in an intaglio print, the image areas are recessed below the surface of the plate. This can be done with acid (or electricity, more on that another time) for an etching or aquatint, by scratching mechanically (drypoint), or by carving yielding an engraving [...]
