The Fine Art of Printmaking: A look at 7 major printmaking methods

To most readers, the word print might suggest mechanically mass-produced commercial products, such as books, newspapers, and textiles; however, in this blog the word print refers to the original creation of an artist practicing the fine art of printmaking. Printmaking, simply put, is any art form that involves transferring an image, from one surface to another. The techniques of printmaking are divided into three major processes: relief, intaglio, surface. The surface processes are subdivided into two categories: planographic (lithography) and stencil methods. Below we take a look at 7 of the most common printmaking techniques:

WOODCUT

The oldest printmaking technique, woodcuts involve carving an image into a wooden surface, which is then inked and printed—leaving the carved-out image in negative, as well as occasional traces of the wood’s grain. The bold mark of a woodcut and the oftentimes apparent wood grain impression contrasts with the more fluid mark of the shapes.

Katsushika Hokusai

Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura)

ca. 1830-32

Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper

10 1/8 x 14 15/16 in. (25.7 x 37.9 cm)

Käthe Kollwitz

Woman in the Lap of Death

1921

Woodcut on cream wove paper

9 3/8 x 11 1/4 inches (23.8 x 28.6 cm)

Edition of 150

LINOCUT

A more modern counterpart to woodcuts, linocuts are made using linoleum; the softness of the material allows for cleaner, freer, and more fluid lines. Linoleum was a cheaper alternative to produce, and offered an easier surface to carve than wood and metal, especially when heated. Due to the soft nature of the linoleum fine details created by plates of a harder surface are more difficult to achieve.

Pablo Picasso

Femme au bandeau

1962

Linocut in three colors

350 x 270 mm

Cyril Edward Power

The Tube Station

1932

Linocut

25.8 x 29.5 cm

Albert Potter

Modern Music

1933

Linocut

9 x 12 inches

edition of 40

ETCHING

To create an etching, artists incise a composition onto a wax-coated metal plate, usual copper, then soak the entire plate in acid. The acid corrodes the exposed lines and leaves the wax intact, so that when the plate is inked and pressed, the paper absorbs the image in reverse. Rembrandt is one of the original masters of this technique.

Grayson Perry

Animal Spirit (Blue)

2016

Etching

63.5 × 77.3 cm

edition of 68

Kerry James Marshall

Untitled (Handsome Young Man)

2010

hardground etching

22 1/2 x 19 inches

edition of 50

ENGRAVING

A less forgiving version of etching, in this process artists engrave their image directly onto a hard flat surface, usually metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Engraving was a historically important in mapmaking, and also for commercial reproductions and illustrations for books and magazines.

Hendrick Goltzius

The Dragon Devouring the Companions of Cadmus

1588

engraving

252 x 315 mm. Sheet 255 x 319 mm

Paul Landacre

Smoke Tree Ranch

1932

Wood Engraving

Image size 6 3/4 x 10 1/16 inches (171 x 256 mm)

Edition of 60

MONOTYPE

Unlike most other printmaking techniques, the monotype method produces unique editions. Artists draw, paint, or otherwise manipulate ink or paint to create a composition on a smooth surface, which is then produced in reverse when applied to a sheet of paper. Sometimes a second and weaker impression, referred to as a “ghost”, can also be pulled from the inked surface.

Mary Beth McKenzie

Morning Papers

1989

Monotype

8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm)

Tai-Shan Schierenberg

There Are Days When Birds Come Back

2012

Monotype

30 x 44¼ in

LITHOGRAPHY

Generally seen as the most difficult printmaking method, lithography involves drawing directly on a flat surface, usually stone, with an oil-based implement, then coating it with a water-based liquid. When oil-based ink is applied, it’s repelled by the water and inks in just the image, allowing it to be transferred onto a paper ground.

Robert Rauschenberg

Landmark

1968

Lithography

42 x 30

edition of 40

Christo

Pink Store Front Project

1980

color lithograph with brown wrapping paper collage

22 1/2 x 18 inches

edition of 100

Robert Pruitt

Negra Es Bella

2014

Two-color lithograph

37.50 x 26 inches

edition of 20

SCREEN PRINT

One of the most widely produced printmaking techniques today, screen printing starts with an ink-blocking stencil applied to a screen. When ink is wiped across the screen, it selectively passes through the mesh, transferring the image to the ground. Look no

further than Andy Warhol for iconic examples of this technique.