Printmaking is an artistic pursuit that is done by carrying out an image from a matrix to another surface, such as, paper or fabric. The traditional techniques are etching, engraving, lithography, and woodcut. The modern technique goes beyond them, as one example is screen printing.
In printmaking, the matrix is essential and it is in the form of either wood, glass, or metal. There’s a need for chemicals or tools to work on the matrix’s flat surface. Ink makes it possible to have the image transferred into the chosen surface.
Controlled pressure is necessary when transferring an image from the matrix. A printing press has no problem providing it. It will produce the splitting image and the even impression of the original design on the matrix. In terms of screen printing, the pressure is not required to get it done.
Reasons Why Printmaking Remains as a Form of Art
With various techniques and methods, printmaking can be done simply. Although some may require a lot of steps. It existed through time as some methods can be done by novices. Professional artist skills are not necessary to accomplish it.
You can even do it at home with the materials that you can see around you. It’s even economical. It can be one of your hobbies and it’s quite useful as you can use it as a decoration.
1. Monoprints with Aluminum Foil
Monoprints are unique. It is fun to make as you can play with line, space, and color. It has some similarities with lithography as drawing is needed for both methods. You have to look for a flat surface, and you also need to use a Q-tip or a small tool in creating the design.
Foil monoprints and lithography would allow the artist to come up with imaginative and expressive images. Using aluminum foil in making monoprints is great for home projects as you can just grab the materials inside your house.
2. Collagraph with Cardboard
This method promotes relief printing which means raising the areas of the design. You need cardboard to make collagraph prints. Begin with putting the cut shapes from cardboard on a sturdy surface and set them in the right place by gluing. You have to apply paint on it.
You don’t have to make them appear like real things as it’s fine with arrangements in symmetry and even asymmetry. The materials are not demanding as you can search them around your house.
3. Nature Collagraph
It’s fun to make nature collagraph as you can start with strolling in a garden and pick flowers and leaves in different shapes. The lines and curves from them would result in a nice piece of art. The model of your design can sometimes leave some scent on the paper.
You have to lay out the leaves and flowers that you’ve chosen on the plate. You may need to let it stick for a little time so, they will remain affixed. There are different kinds of paper that you can use. Then smothered paint or ink on it and soaked the paper in the water.
Let the excess water from the paper drip before you place it on the top of the plate. Then you can roll a brayer on top of it. You should know that the more pressure you apply, the more texture you can gain. You can lift the paper on top of the plate to see the design that you made.
4. Monoprints Out of Trash Bag
The trash bag has another role in this home project aside from carrying all the trash. It would give you both positive and natural textural effects. You would need a board for this, which you will scatter some amount of paint. Then cover the board with a piece of the trash bag.
Tape the edges of the trash bag at the back of the board. When you remove it, you will see different and unique textures.
5. Tabletop Monoprinting
It’s so fun to do as you can apply different printing processes such as color theory, realistic ones, abstract, and more. It is done on top of the table where you need to make two rectangular frames by using tape for the lining. One rectangle is for a paper registry and it is enclosed to the clean rectangular border.
You should prepare a design before you proceed. The ink may dry and it won’t help if you want to produce more copies. You can spritz a bit of water on the ink if you think it’s drying up. Then once you put your paper registry, you can put the ink all over it. Press another paper and roll it with a brayer. Then remove it and you would see a duplicate of your chosen design.
Wrapping Up Ideas
So printmaking is not only for the hands of professional artists but anyone can do it. There are so many printmaking ideas that everyone can try doing. The ones mentioned in this article can be practically done at home due to the easy access to the materials. You can always enjoy printmaking so it has been with everyone for so long.
