New lithograph
my art, prints :: posted on March 30th, 2008
The print I am working on at the moment, or at least one of the prints I am working on at the moment, is the next in a group of works that refer to sculpture. They are sort of reversing the process of creating the sculpture in the first instance, in a way. So this one draws on a sculpture made by my father using a mix of clay and grog and fired in a wood fired kiln.
You can see more of my Dad’s work on a little Flash website I made a couple of years ago.
So initially the image I drew is on a lithograph stone, which I bring up to the point of being ready to print, so it has the depth of tone I want and is stable enough to take a couple of prints. During this process I take a couple of test prints on newsprint paper, which then become a mask for the etching layer.
The centre is left white as the lithograph print prevents the ink from the etching plate marking the area. The etching is simple outlines that will guide me for the watercolour painting and also create a strong definition for the design. So hopefully today I will get to print the lithograph onto the prepared background and it will come together as I see it in my head! The lithograph layer needs pinhole registration, which I will attempt to photograph as I do it!
