Art Ambitions

Recently I have focused on printmaking as my medium for producing art. Printmaking is the transferring of an inked image from one surface (from the plate or block) to another (usually paper), very simply stated. I finished my Lithography class where I really struggled with the process and now desire to move away from printmaking and refine my drawing and printing skills. I was commissioned to paint a mural where I found my love for painting again. A few things that I aspire to do as personal projects included, abstract large scale work, more murals, portrait drawings and mixed media. I want to do work different than I have ever done before, new concept new look!

Litho...What?

Lithography is a method for printing using a plate or stone with a completely smooth surface. By contrast, in intaglio printing plate is engraved, etched or strippled to make cavities to contain the printing ink. Lithography uses oil or fat and gum arabic to divide the smooth surface into hydrophobic regions which accept the ink, and hydrophilic regions which reject it and thus become the background. Invented by Bavarian author Alois Senefelder in 1796, it can be used to print text or artwork onto paper or another suitable material. Today most high volume texts are produced using offset printing with machine rollers and fast drying ink. The handmade older technique which I use is all hand done the pressing being the only machine used. This technique is slowly losing its popularity as technology advances.