Artwork

What is a screen print and how is one made?

Screenprinting is a print making technique that uses a fine woven mesh of material tightly stretched over a frame. Sometimes referred to as silkscreen because silk was used instead of the polyester mesh now used. Areas of the mesh are blocked with a stencil and then a squeegee is used to pull the ink through the unblocked areas. Stencils are created by coating a screen with a light-sensitive screen-coating known as a 'Dual Cure diazo photo-emulsion' and the positive (artwork) is then transferred onto the screen by exposing the emulsion and positive (artwork) to UV light. A positive, or artwork, is created in two ways: An autographic positive is where the image is directly drawn onto the acetate using various materials. A digital positive is outputted via an inkjet printer.

What is a print edition?

An edition consists of a number of identical prints produced from the same screen.

What is a numbered print?

Numbering is shown on the print in the following form 5/50 - in this case the 50 representing the total number in the edition and the 5 representing the specific number in the edition.

What is an open edition?

A print that is not limited in number.

What does A/P stand for?

The first set of prints pulled, intended for the artist own uses. They are in addition to the numbered edition and are marked A.P. The accepted number of A.P for an edition is customarily 10% of the total edition.

What kind of ink do you use for your screen printing?

Water based ink - ink with water suspended within it, providing more vibrant colour.

What is a Giclee?

Giclee (pronounced zhee-clay) - The process used to make a fine art print or photograph using a high quality digital inkjet printer.

What is a lithograph and how is one made

Lithography works on the principle that oil and water will not mix. The printing surface, which can be either a limestone block or a metal plate, is grained to prepare a fine surface. The artist then uses a greasy drawing material to make an image directly on this surface that is then treated chemically so that only the image will accept the printing ink. During printing the stone or plate is first sponged with water and then oily ink is rolled across the surface. The water, acting as a resist, prevents the ink from sticking to the bare areas of stone. Once inked the paper is laid on top of the inked stone and passed through the press.

What is an etching and how is one made?

A metal plate is covered with a material that is resistance to acid, the artist scratches off the material with a pointed etching needle to expose the metal beneath. The plate is then washed or dipped in acid to expose the lines created by the needlepoint. Once this process is complete the plate is ready to be inked all over, then the ink is wiped from the plate leaving on the ink in the etching lines.

What is a master printer?

Prints are either made by the artists themselves, or in collaboration with a printmaking specialist called a Master printmaker. Our Master printer is called Sarah Fountain who has over 10 years of experience. She provides the technical expertise, enabling the artists to concentrate on creating their images. By working together like this the artist can achieve their aesthetic goals.