Prints: Materials, Practice, and Techniques Flashcards
What is linocut?
o Similar to woodcut
o Linoleum block is used instead of wood
o Surface of print has less texture because material does not have wood grain
o Early 19th century
o Pine resin, solidified linseed oil
o Linoleum is cheaper than wood- or metal cut
o Easier to carve compared to wood and metal – softer
What is aquatint?
Intaglio print with acid that creates tone rather than lines
What is a burin?
V-shape sharp tool used for engraving
Steel shaft, wooden handle, sharp point - held in palm of hand – leaves clean V-shaped groove
What is metal cut?
Form of relief print
o Metal plate is used instead of wood – more durable
o Used from 15th – 19th century, particularly of book illustrations
o Outlines are engraved – stamps used for texture
What is Chiaroscuro?
(Chiaro = light scuro = shade)
o Printing with two or more block – different colors on blocks
o 1 block for each color
o Usually no more than 3 or 4 blocks
o Key block = outlines, mid tone block, light tone block
What is the process of mezzotint?
o Plate is worked with rocker (metal tool with teeth) – plate is roughened
o Entire plate is rocked to create rough texture
o Rough texture catches ink – a proper mezzotint plate will print completely black print
o Plate is then smoothened with tools to create lighter shades
What tool is used on etching plate to remove ground?
Etching needle: varying in thickness, more or less sharp according to need
What are the characteristics of mezzotint?
- Presents many tones
- Tones rather than lines
- Each plate prints limited number of high-quality prints
What is a mezzotint rocker?
Tool that creates dots/rough texture on plate
What is the process of screen-printing?
o Screen is evenly coated with thin layer of photosensitive emulsion – emulsion dries
o Designs are placed on screen
o Screen is put in exposure unite that emits UV light – designs block UV – emulsion around is hardened
o Unhardened emulsion is washed away
o Screen is put in mechanism with hinges
o Thick layer of ink is applied on screen, paper is put underneath
o Ink is forced through screen with squeegee – called flooding screen
o Multiple colors can be used – multiple prints with multiple screens – registrations marks are used to align paper to screen
How is drypoint used?
Often in combination with etching - used after plate is bitten to do revisions
Describe the printmaking process!
- Transferring an image from a matrix – from one surface to another
- Design is added to a surface – ink is added – surface is pressed to paper
What is a drypoint needle?
Piece of steel stronger than an etching needle for copper
What is the difference between wood cut and wood engraving?
Woodcut:
uses gouge/chisel
wood is cut length wise
Wood engraving
uses graver
wood is cut across the grain
What is the title, name of artist, date and technique?
Title: Beggar with wooden leg and crutches
Name of artist: Jacques Callot
Date: 1622
Technique: Etching
What is the process of lithography?
o Stone is polished
o Artist draws design with oily/greasy medium directly on stone surface
o Greasy medium
Oil based medium
Tusche
o Stone is rubbed with powdered rosin – then rubbed with layer of powdered talk
o Solution of Gum Arabic and acid is brushed on stone – makes stone water receptive
o Process makes drawing fixed
o The drawing is wiped off – leaves ghost trace
o Preparing for inking –
o Stone is dampened with water – only stays on blank areas
o Ink is applied with roller – only sticks to oily areas – water areas repel ink
o Stone is covered with sheet of paper and run through press – design on bottom, paper on top
o Reverse image of design is printed on paper
What are the characteristics of woodcuts?
- Could be put in printing press together with text (movable type)
o Preferred wood: pear wood (sycamore also used)
o Wood is cut length wise and planed
o Wood is seasoned (dried) – reduce moisture in wood – prevents warping and cracking
o Size of woodblock is limited to size of printing press
o Larger prints can be made from combining smaller woodblocks
o Ideal thickness – 1 inch or 2.54 cm
o Process is done by multiple people
o Sketch is added to woodblock – can be traced – often don by 2 people
What are the characteristics of drypoint?
Drypoint needle creates burr that is not removed - gives lines a fuzzy feeling
o Difficult to control needle
o Lines produced are shallow
o Drypoint lines wears quickly
Only 12-13 good quality print can be made
20-30 prints can be made, 12-13 first are the best
- Difficult to distinguish from other intaglio
What is the title, name of artist, date and technique?
Title: Battle of the Nude Men
Name of artist: Antonio Pollaiuolo
Date: ca. 1470–90
Technique: Engraving
What are the characteristics of aquatint?
- Creates shaded areas
- Dramatic contrast of light and dark
- Imitates watercolor
- Most often used in combination with etching or engraving
What is burr?
Curls of copper left behind from burin – burr is removed with scraper
What is the history of aquatint?
- Invented in 1650s in Amsterdam
- Used most effectively in England
What is etching?
Second most important process
- Iron copper or zinc plates
- Plate is covered with ground
- Etching needle removes ground
- Plate is put in acid – acid removes metal where ground is absent
What is intaglio printing?
- Intagliare = to incise
- Image is either incised with a pointed tool or bitten with acid
- Plate is covered with ink – plate is wiped off - ink stays in the incisions/grooves – paper is pressed on top
- Platemark:
o Plate is larger than image – leaves platemark behind
What is the history of lithography?
1798, Germany accidentally discovered by Senefelder
Used in 19th century by artist working in the commercial sphere
Used for advertisement and book illustration in late 19th century
What is the planographic printing process?
The ink lies flat on surface, pressure of press, much lighter
What is the process of engraving?
o Surface is polished to remove imperfections and scratches
o Lines are cut directly on surface
o Pressure changes line thickness
o Plate can be put on small pillow – plate is more easily moved and turned
o Tones can be created
o Ink is applied to plate evenly
o Excess ink is removed with rags and palm of hand
o Printing the plate on paper under a press
o Plate is put on bottom, dampened paper is put on top, felt blankets on top of paper, “sandwich” is put through rollers
What tool are used with mezzotint?
Burnisher – blunt tip
Scraper - sharp tip
Roulette - rounded tip that rolls