Methods I Use
Acrylic resist
Acrylic polymer grounds are substituted for traditional solvent based hard
ground, soft ground, stop out and aquatint. They can be removed using Mystrol or
soda ash and water solution.
Photopolymer Printmaking - UV/solar prints
Photopolymer films were first used in the production of printed circuit
boards but have been used by artist/printmakers since the early 19902 for
fine art printmaking. Film is laminated onto metal plate or perspex and then
a drawing or photo-based image is transferred onto the film using
ultraviolet light. I have particularly enjoyed drawing with ink on drafting
film (Truegrain) and transferring my drawing.
Most printmakers in the UK use an ultraviolet exposure unit though in some
countries UV from the sun is frequently used. Plates are usually inked and
printed intaglio.
It
is also possible to buy light sensitive polymer coated metal solar plates such
as Toyobo Printight Solarplate.
Collagraphs
I generally use mount boards as my support and add to or reduce the surface.
For example, I score and peel off some areas and add textured materials such
as carborundum grit, card, net, ribbon, tape, textured medium. The surface
is then sealed with waterproof PVA and printed intaglio and/or relief.
Monotypes
I tend to work on perspex using Akua monotype inks or sometimes Caligo
relief inks. When working directly from life I sometimes also use
watersoluble crayons such as Caran d'Ache Neocolour. These are printed (and
frequently overprinted) on the etching press.
Found object printmaking
It is possible to apply a roller and relief ink and then print almost any
'object' that is relatively flat and does not have any sharp metal parts. I
avoid putting anything with pieces of metal in it through the press, so if
inking and printing clothing, I would remove any fastenings such as ribbons,
hooks and eyes and so on.