How do you make a linocut?

Deep Sea Diver by Linocutboy. from Hazeleigh Prebble on Vimeo.

Deep Sea Diver - see how Nick Morley develops this Linocut Print~ www.linocutboy.com ~

What is etching and how do you use a printing press?

Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints that have an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. 

Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable of producing multiples of a same piece, which is called a print. Each print produced is not considered a "copy" but rather is considered an "original".

This is because typically each print varies to an extent due to variables intrinsic to the printmaking process, and also because the imagery of a print is typically not simply a reproduction of another work but rather is often a unique image designed from the start to be expressed in a particular printmaking technique. A print may be known as an impression. 

Printmaking (other than monotyping) is not chosen only for its ability to produce multiple impressions, but rather for the unique qualities that each of the printmaking processes lends itself to.

Prints are created by transferring ink from a matrix or through a prepared screen to a sheet of paper or other material. Common types of matrices include: metal plates, usually copper or zinc, or polymer plates forengraving or etching; stone, aluminum, or polymer for lithography; blocks of wood for woodcuts and wood engravings; and linoleum for linocuts. 

Screens made of silk or synthetic fabrics are used for the screen printing process. 

Multiple impressions printed from the same matrix form an edition. Since the late 19th century, artists have generally signed individual impressions from an edition and often number the impressions to form a limited edition; the matrix is then destroyed so that no more prints can be produced. 

Prints may also be printed in book form, such as illustrated books or artist's books.

Basic etching method

In pure etching, a metal (usually copper, zinc or steel) plate is covered with a waxy ground which is resistant to acid. The artist then scratches off the ground with a pointed etching needle where he or she wants a line to appear in the finished piece, so exposing the bare metal. The échoppe, a tool with a slanted oval section, is also used for "swelling" lines. The plate is then dipped in a bath of acid, technically called the mordant (French for "biting") oretchant, or has acid washed over it. The acid "bites" into the metal (it dissolves part of the metal) where it is exposed, leaving behind lines sunk into the plate. The remaining ground is then cleaned off the plate. The plate is inked all over, and then the ink wiped off the surface, leaving only the ink in the etched lines.

The plate is then put through a high-pressure printing press together with a sheet of paper (often moistened to soften it). The paper picks up the ink from the etched lines, making a print. The process can be repeated many times; typically several hundred impressions (copies) could be printed before the plate shows much sign of wear. The work on the plate can also be added to by repeating the whole process; this creates an etching which exists in more than one state.

Etching has often been combined with other intaglio techniques see Solarplate etching below

Solarplate Etching:

Printmaking with Solarplate is a simple approach and safer alternative to traditional etching and relief printing. Solarplate is a prepared, light-sensitive polymer surface on a steel backing for artists to produce fine prints. All one needs is inspiration, a graphic image created on a transparent film (acetate or glass), sun or UV light, and ordinary tap water, and the process is ready to begin. Both positives and negatives can be utilized; intaglio and relief printing techniques can be applied. 
The simple, spontaneous approach also makes it faster and more economical for use in professional printmaking workshops and collaborations with artists. Educators are replacing traditional acid techniques with Solarplate due to safety regulations. Being photographic in nature, Solarplate incorporates a broader range of techniques than any other printing medium. 

What is Monotype printmaking?

Nine Types of Printmaking

Our work incorporates a lot of these techniques.

Come to our exhibition, 
opening on the 6th of November and find out which ones we use the most!

Woodcut

The oldest printmaking technique, woodcut involves carving an 

image into a wooden surface, which is then inked and printed

leaving the carved-out image in negative, 

as well as occasional traces of the wood’s grain.

Linocut

A more modern analog to woodcut, 
linocuts are made using linoleum; 
the softness of the material allows for cleaner, freer, and more fluid lines.

Etching

To create an etching, artists incise (“draw”) 

a composition onto a wax-coated metal plate, 

then soak the entire plate in acid. 

The acid corrodes the exposed lines and leaves the wax intact, 

so that when the plate is inked and pressed, 

the paper absorbs the image in reverse. 

Rembrandt is one of the original masters of this technique.

Engraving

A less forgiving version of etching (mastered by Dürer), 

in this process artists incise their image directly

 onto a metal plate, which is then inked and printed.

Monotype

Unlike most other printmaking techniques, 

this process produces unique editions. 

Artists draw, paint, or otherwise manipulate ink or paint 

to create a composition on a smooth surface, 

which is then produced in reverse when applied to a ground support.

Collograph

a printmaking process in which materials are applied to a rigid substrate (such as paperboard or wood). The word is derived from the Greek word koll or kolla, 
meaning glue, and graph, meaning the activity of drawing.

The plate can be intaglio-inked, inked with a roller or paintbrush, or some combination.

Ink or pigment is applied to the resulting collage, and the board is used to print onto 
paper or another material using either a printing press or various hand tools. 
The resulting print is termed a collagraph. Substances such as carborundum, 
acrylic texture mediums, sandpapers, textiles, bubble wrap, string or other fibers, 
cut card, leaves and grass can all be used in creating the collagraph plate. 
In some instances, leaves can be used as a source of pigment by rubbing them onto the 
surface of the plate.

Different tonal effects and vibrant colors can be achieved with the technique due to the 
depth of relief and differential inking that results from the collagraph plate's 
highly textured surface. 

Collagraphy is a very open printmaking method. Ink may be applied to the upper 
surfaces of the plate with a brayer for a relief print, or ink may be applied to the 
entire board and then removed from the upper surfaces but remain in the spaces 
between objects, resulting in an intaglio print. 
A combination of both intaglio and relief methods may also be employed. 
A printing press may or may not be used.

Screen Print

One of the most ubiquitous printmaking techniques today,

 screen printing starts with an ink-blocking stencil applied to a screen. 

When ink is wiped across the screen, it selectively passes through, 

transferring the image to the ground. 

Look no further than Andy Warhol for iconic examples of the medium.

Transfer

Transfer is a catch-all term for processes of transmitting images 

from one surface to another, 

whether by rubbing, tracing, pressing, or any other manual technique. 

Outside of the “fine art” context, 

examples of the technique include gravestone rubbings and carbon copies.

Save The Date- November 6th 2015

~ SAVE THE DATE ~ Friday November 6th inkspots Opening Reception During First Friday Art Walk 5 - 8 pm

We the members of the inkspots are hereby cordially inviting you to the Opening Reception for our annual exhibit of new work. For the first time in our 9 years, we will be holding  a FREE DRAWING for one of you to win a limited edition of our folio, all 13 originals! Join us at the reception and arrive early to enter the drawing for a chance to win a complete set of 13 ORIGINAL limited edition hand pulled prints.  A wonderfully diverse set of original art from 13 of the talented printmakers of the inkspots. All those who enter, but do not win, will also have an option to purchase one of the two additional folios available for sale. Hope to see you and your friends at the opening. 643 A Project Space 643 North Ventura Avenue Ventura, CA 93001

Focus On The Masters Event with The Inkspots!

Focus on the Masters kicks off its 2015-16

 Artist Spotlight season on Nov. 7

1 fish, 2 fish, 3 fish by Judy Gibbs

Focus on the Masters kicks off its 2015-16 Artist Spotlight season on Nov. 7 in the Screening Room of Brooks Institute in Ventura.  The Spotlight interview will feature the inkspots.  Founder Virginia Furmanski will be joined by Bay Hallowell and Inés Monguió in a panel discussion led by Dr. Judy Larson.   The inkspots were formed in 2007 by Virginia who explains that the group is greater than the sum of its parts.  “We take classes together.  We learn new techniques.”

Four Ventura artists interested in printmaking formed the original inkspots group in 2007 by pooling their resources and creating a printmaking studio at the Sea Breeze Gallery in Ventura.  The inkspots of San Buenaventura are a group of artists dedicated to creating original prints using a variety of techniques including etching, collagraph, linocut, monoprint, monotype, woodblock, and digital manipulation.

Spotlight interviews are free to FOTM Members, $10 for general public, $5 students and seniors.

Immediately following the interview guests will gather at 643 A Project Space for the AfterGLOW Fundraising Event.  Paid reservations are required for the AfterGLOW: $25 for FOTM members and $35 for non-members.   An exhibit of works by inkspots artists will run from November 6 through December 19 at 643 A Project Space.

Tickets for both the panel discussion and the AfterGLOW are available online at:  www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or by calling 653.2501.

Also during the First Friday ArtWalk  on Nov.6  the inkspots will have an opening reception from  5:00—8:00 p.m. 643 A Project Space, 643 N. Ventura Ave.

A free drawing for the inkspots 2015 Folio will take place at the 

Opening Reception at 7:00 p.m.

Member News- Karen L Brown

Karen L Brown is included in 

an Invitational curated by Janet Black

Opening reception: October 30th 5:30-7pm

Atrium Gallery, 4th floor

Ventura County Government Center