Prints: Materials, Practice, and Techniques Flashcards
(71 cards)
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
