Lithography
Lithography is a ‘planographic’ process i.e., the ink is taken from the top of a flat surface and relies on the fact that oil and water do not mix. A slab of limestone, zinc or aluminium is first rubbed down to give a uniform, slightly roughened surface. The artist draws onto this prepared surface with an oil-based medium which can be either a lithographic pencil, crayon or chalk or a special liquid called ‘tusche’, which is applied with a brush. The drawing can then be rubbed or scratched away to give a variety of effects. The final print will have exactly the same characteristics as the artist’s original drawing.
Alternatively, many contemporary artists prefer to make their drawings on ‘transfer paper’, which is then placed, face down, on the prepared surface and transferred.
The undrawn areas on the printing surface are treated with gum arabic and nitric acid to make them receptive to water. The original drawing is then dissolved away but still leaves behind an oily layer on the surface. The entire surface is then wetted with water which seeps into the undrawn areas but is repelled from the drawn areas. Oil based printing ink is applied and adheres in a thin layer on top of the oily drawn areas. When paper is placed against the surface and put under a press, the lithographic print is created.
Alternatively, many contemporary artists prefer to make their drawings on ‘transfer paper’, which is then placed, face down, on the prepared surface and transferred.
The undrawn areas on the printing surface are treated with gum arabic and nitric acid to make them receptive to water. The original drawing is then dissolved away but still leaves behind an oily layer on the surface. The entire surface is then wetted with water which seeps into the undrawn areas but is repelled from the drawn areas. Oil based printing ink is applied and adheres in a thin layer on top of the oily drawn areas. When paper is placed against the surface and put under a press, the lithographic print is created.
Colour lithography is made possible by creating a series of stones or plates, one for each colour used, so that one colour is printed on top of the next. It is not uncommon to use twenty or more colours for one image, which can be extremely complicated and time consuming.
Lithography was discovered by Senefelder in Bavaria in 1798. Its artistic heyday was epitomised in the work of Toulouse-Lautrec. It was the master printmaker, Fernand Mourlot of the Mourlot Studio in Paris, who in the 1930’s, began to collaborate with the leading artists of the time such as Matisse, Picasso and Chagall to create fine art lithographic prints from stone. These were mostly for publication in specialist art books, such as the legendary art review Verve.
The Castle Gallery, Inverness, is renowned for its extensive collection of handmade prints from artists who are amongst the leading exponents of original prints in the UK, including many who have been elected to the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. We promote original handmade prints because we believe in their superb craftsmanship, aesthetic value and integrity.
Lithography was discovered by Senefelder in Bavaria in 1798. Its artistic heyday was epitomised in the work of Toulouse-Lautrec. It was the master printmaker, Fernand Mourlot of the Mourlot Studio in Paris, who in the 1930’s, began to collaborate with the leading artists of the time such as Matisse, Picasso and Chagall to create fine art lithographic prints from stone. These were mostly for publication in specialist art books, such as the legendary art review Verve.
The Castle Gallery, Inverness, is renowned for its extensive collection of handmade prints from artists who are amongst the leading exponents of original prints in the UK, including many who have been elected to the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. We promote original handmade prints because we believe in their superb craftsmanship, aesthetic value and integrity.