As I mentioned, I'd dampened some paper to make lino prints of a block I'd cut back in June of Penshaw Monument. I'd read repeatedly that dampened paper enables the ink/paint to transfer and adhere better to the paper than using dry paper. They were right. Previously I had to make sure that my lino block was well covered in acrylic paint, as it dries fast on the block if applied thinly and leaves bare patches on the print. Then, when I lay the dry paper onto the block and applied pressure, the paint would squash between the block and the paper, moving into and obliterating any fine lines I'd cut, and gooing out over carefully cut edges, so the image wasn't hard-edged any more. In addition, as I removed the paper from the block the paint would stretch between the two like melted cheese and form feathered areas on the print. BUT....... with dampened paper I can use less paint, as the paper now absorbs the paint on contact with the block, leaving a much sharper image, and I can use my fingers to press the paper into the recessed areas giving a lovely relief effect. This has re-enamoured me to lino prints, so watch this space.
Oh, the image at the top was done on scrap paper I'd dampened, which already had scruffy black marks. They're not a result of bad printing. But you can see the accuracy of line I've reproduced here, which would never have been possible on dry paper.
4 comments:
this has worked really well - I've never used acrylic because of it's drying speed but it looks worth experimenting with :>)
A tip I was given, which works brilliantly, is to run a sheet of paper under the tap and then add a totally dry sheet, repeat until you have a stack and then put them in a plastic bag.
It gives you a stack of paper of just the right dampness without constantly wetting and blotting .
That sounds like a great idea, as the blotting of dripping wet sheets was a pain.
Yellow,
Would you please consider being an "art star" so that I can feature a link to your blog along with other artists I'm promoting?
Thanks,
Chris
http://chrisbolmeier.com/introducing-art-stars
How fascinating! It has taken me more than a year and finally lessons with a real printmaker to learn the damp paper secret. I can't believe what a difference it makes to results of linoprints. Now I'm thinking of all the acrylic paint I have, which I never use, that I could try to substitute for oil-based printing inks. Thanks :) And that is a very impressive linocut you have there.
Great tip to try, thanks Vivien. :)
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