Printmaking: A Primer

Rembrandt's Etching "The Three Trees," 1643

Printmaking, where science, process, physically demanding work and a dash of mystery come together to create a passion and art form that is never dull, and results always surprising and inherently satisfying. From initial concepts to final execution, the process requires careful thought and methodical planning for a print to be a success. The technology and methods are old. Francisco Goya etched his series The Disasters of War in 1810, when the process was already 300 years old. The following is a rough guide to a few of the different disciplines in the world of printmaking.

• Linocut: An image is carved out of Linoleum, the parts remaining will hold ink and transfer the image to paper under the pressure of an etching press.
• Drypoint: An image is scratched directly into Acrylic, Plexiglass or even Copper. The grooves hold the ink which is then transferred to paper under the pressure of a press.
• Etching: A copper or steel plate is coated in “hard ground”, the image outline gently scratched into it and then submersed in an acid bath where the lines are etched deep enough to hold ink.
• Aquatint: Areas of the Etching are blocked and the plate is then subjected to a series of acid bath immersions until the desired shadows and highlights are achieved. Usually 4 to 5 times.
• Lithography: A method of printing developed utilizing the resistance of oil and water, often on marble slabs but can be on offset plates or zinc utilizing silicon as dry lithography.

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