|
Many
of my prints combine different printmaking techniques in the one image.
These techniques can be explained as follows:
Relief
Printmaking
Using
special tools I carve an image on to linoleum. The linoleum surface is
then inked up with a roller and printed on to paper by hand or by using
a printmaking press. The image is transferred on to the paper and
becomes reversed. Where the linoleum has been carved, this will appear
as white on to the paper as this area is below the surface of the
linoleum and has not picked up ink. Several blocks can be used to add
different colours. Each block is printed separately.
Intaglio
Printmaking
Photopolymer
intaglio is a safer form of traditional intaglio known as etching.
Photopolymer plates are relatively new to printmaking and allow an
accurate reproduction of a photographic image. It
is a very versatile technique, allowing printmakers infinite
possibilities unconstrained by the medium.
Artwork
is firstly created on to a transparent sheet. The transparency is then
overlaid on to the photopolymer plate and exposed to ultraviolet light.
This can be done in the sun, or for greater control, by using a box
emitting ultra violet light. On the plate surface is a polymer that is
light sensitive and water-soluble. The area of polymer exposed to
ultraviolet light hardens, whereas the polymer blocked by the artwork
remains water-soluble. This area dissolves in water leaving the image
from the transparency etched into the polymer. The etched area on the
plate captures the ink and the image is printed using a printmaking
press. This process is the inverse of relief printmaking as the ink is
captured below the surface of the plate.
Screen-printing
This
method is also known as silk screen printing from the material formerly
used for the screen. An image is created onto transparency, and overlaid
on to a screen mesh that has a light sensitive coating applied to it.
Similarly to Photopolymer, the
area of mesh exposed to ultraviolet light hardens, whereas the coating
blocked by the artwork remains water-soluble. This area dissolves in
water leaving the image from the transparency to create a stencil.
Ink is passed across the top of the screen and is forced through the
open areas of the mesh on to the paper below.
Chin
Collé
This
refers to the application of a second layer over the top of the original
image. A thin medium such as rice paper is frequently used as the second
layer. It is printed at the same time as application.
|
