Lithography
Lithography is a printing technique based on the immiscibility of oil and water, allowing artists and printmakers to create multiple copies of an image. This process involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy substance and then using a series of chemical processes to make the drawn areas ink-receptive and the non-drawn areas water-receptive. Here’s a detailed guide on the lithography technique:
Materials Needed:
- Lithographic limestone or aluminum plate: The surface on which the image will be created.
- Grease-based drawing materials: Lithographic crayons, pencils, or tusche (a greasy ink).
- Etching solution: A mixture of gum arabic and nitric acid to chemically process the plate.
- Printing ink: Oil-based ink suitable for lithography.
- Roller (brayer): To apply ink to the plate.
- Printing press: A flatbed press specifically designed for lithography.
- Sponges and water: For damping the plate during printing.
- Paper: High-quality printmaking paper.
- Talcum powder and rosin: Used in some methods to prepare the plate.
Steps in the Lithography Process:
- Preparing the Plate or Stone:
- Grain the stone or plate to create a smooth, even surface using a levigator and abrasive materials. This step is typically done by a professional, especially for stones.
- Degrease the surface using a mixture of gum arabic and a mild abrasive, like powdered pumice.
- Creating the Image:
- Draw directly on the stone or plate with lithographic crayons, pencils, or tusche. These materials contain grease, which will attract the ink during printing.
- Make corrections as needed: Mistakes can be corrected with a scraper or a blade.
- Processing the Image:
- Dust the drawing with talcum powder (optional) to help the drawing material adhere better to the stone or plate.
- Apply a layer of rosin (optional) to protect the drawing.
- Etch the stone or plate by applying a solution of gum arabic and a small amount of nitric acid. This process makes the non-image areas hydrophilic (water-attracting) and the image areas oleophilic (oil-attracting).
- Preparation for Printing:
- Wash out the drawing with a solvent (such as lithotine or turpentine), leaving the greasy material embedded in the stone or plate.
- Apply gum arabic again to the stone or plate to protect the non-image areas.
- Inking the Plate:
- Dampen the stone or plate with water using a sponge. The water will adhere to the non-image areas.
- Roll the ink onto the stone or plate with a brayer. The ink will adhere to the greasy image areas but be repelled by the water-covered non-image areas.
- Printing:
- Place the paper onto the inked stone or plate carefully.
- Run the paper and stone/plate through the lithographic press with even pressure to transfer the ink from the stone/plate to the paper.
- Lift the paper carefully to reveal the printed image.
- Finishing:
- Allow the prints to dry thoroughly.
- Clean the stone or plate immediately after printing to remove any residual ink and prepare it for future use.
Tips and Considerations:
- Experiment with drawing materials: Different lithographic crayons and pencils offer varying degrees of hardness and texture.
- Control the etching process: Adjust the concentration of the nitric acid in the etching solution to control how much the non-image areas are etched.
- Practice dampening: Mastering the balance of water and ink is crucial. Too much water can repel the ink, while too little can cause the non-image areas to pick up ink.
- Editioning: Number and sign each print to create a limited edition, such as “1/10” for the first print out of an edition of ten.
By mastering these steps, you can produce high-quality lithographic prints with rich textures and intricate details. Lithography offers a unique and versatile medium for artists and printmakers to explore.
Many people read our art newsletter ; you should too!
