I normally use a printing press to take prints from the plates and blocks I make, but today I had a go taking prints by hand. It hinges on the alchemy between the right sort of ink at the right consistency and the right paper. I’ve been experimenting for a while but today I hit jackpot with a mixture of Intaglio Printmaker’s litho / relief ink mixed with extender onto Hosho paper. I built up lots of layers of very thin ink onto the vinyl block and took the print with a Japanese baren.
I cut this image into a small block of ‘Softcut’ vinyl from a drawing I did while I was travelling around South West Wales with archaeologist Dewi Bowen who is researching his new book on Neolithic / Bronze Age monuments. His previous book on the stones of Ancient Siluria (South East Wales) can be found here. Accompanying us is film maker Melvyn Williams who is recording a documentary about our experiences. Some of Melvyn’s short films can be seen here. If you want to see some of my other artworks, please click here.
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It looks really amzing. It looks like a lot of work. But the beautiful outcome is worth it, isn’t it?
Thank you. I’m so pleased to have got it right at last. I can print at home now without using a press.
Haven’t had access to a press for some years due to illness.
Have had great deal of success hand printing small linos. I have been using a variety of thin papers & Rives BFK.
Lino and etching printing inks- Speedball, graphic chemical.
I find the most difficulty with humidity. I modify my ink then with calcium carbonate. Can’t use too much- the ink gets gummy. I know the ink is right when rolling out the ink when I hear the “sizzle”!
I’ve never heard of using calcium carbonate, interesting. This is the first time I’ve done it successfully. I have some BFK Rives, I’ll try it. Many thanks ☺ x