My first impression of printmaking is that of frustration. I initially found myself challenged by the seemingly tedious process by which prints are actually made and the impeccable and repetitive results. Little did I realize that, as with all forms of image transfer, there are subtle techniques and tricks to vary individuals results dramatically. Printmaking, though being a somewhat mechanical and repetitious media, can be just as mutable and individual as painting or ceramics.
The first project introduced allows the student to develop technique and consistency while still giving them the freedom to experiment and venture into content based work. It consists of finding a silhouetted object. Anything, really, and printing it on any paper-like media available such as, papers, cloth, plastic, wood, or magazine, to name a few. This wide scope of materials, layered with their imagery, is not only a good technical building formula but also allows the student to challenge themselves conceptually by juxtaposing their image with various materials thus changing or enhancing there meanings with out them even really knowing!
Here we are, the first day of studio lab, working through the technical details of printmaking.
First, students design or find their silhouette. This image is then transferred, via photocopy or opaque paint pen, to a transparent sheet of acetate or other transparent paper-like material.
Students prepare their screens mixing the 2 part Diazo -the product that will resist printing pigments- and then apply it to the screen. After this the screen must dry for at least an hour in a light free environment.
Next, students learn how to use the UV exposing machines- basically a large light box in which the Diazo emulsion is 'set' or polymerized onto the screen -this process includes the careful placement or arrangement of the students silhouette on the screen itself. The exposure process can also be accomplished using sunlight/natural light in a similar manner.
Screens are exposed to ultraviolet light -for a short amount of time, approx. 30 seconds- during this time, the light sensitive Diazo polymerizes, permanently adhering itself to the screen.
Where the opaque image -applied to the transparent paper- sits, light doesn't reach, and the Diazo is not polymerized and will next be washed out of the screen.
After exposure to ultraviolet light the screen is then rinsed thoroughly with water. This rinsing reveals the image and is now a point in the screen that will allow the passage of inks.
The screen is now set to dry. Once dry, it can be used to print!
Of course there are always issues and small details with transferring imagery to the screen and eventually to the paper, these are worked out as they come up as they are very numerous.
Choosing paper/ground for the print: Eastern or Western fiber? Cloth? Metal?Whaaa?
Setting up your screen!