There are probably as many ways to duplicate art as there are art forms. The reason for preparing good art prints is so that people like you and me can afford to buy wonderful art. If only originals were sold, we would never be able to afford to own pretty paintings or other art objects for our homes.
The variety of techniques for reproducing art are explained here. Of course, we only touch upon a few of the many techniques, but these will give you an idea about what you are looking at when you see a print for sale.
Aquatint: This is a printing technique in which you can produce an unlimited number of tonal gradations in order to copy the broad, flat tints of watercolor drawings. The art image is capture by etching microscopic cracks and pits into the image and onto a master plate. This plate is usually made of copper and zinc. The work of the early Spanish artists were done using this technique.
Blind: This is a form of printing using a plate to produce the subtle embossed texture of a white-on-white image, highlighted by the shadow of the relief image on the paper. This technique is used in many Japanese prints.
Collagraph: This printing technique allows proofs to be pulled back from a block on which the artwork or design is built up like a collage, creating a relief.
Drypoint: This is an engraving process. A hard, steel needle cuts lines on a metal plate, creating a burr effect that gives a soft and velvety line in the final print.
Engraving: In this technique, the image is produced by cutting a metal plate or box directly with a sharp engraving tool. The cut lines are then printed with heavy pressure.
Etching: First, a metal plate is covered with an acid-resistant material. Then, an engraved image is created using an etching needle. The exposed metal is eaten away in an acid bath, creating depressed lines that are later inked for printing. Etching was invented by Daniel Hopfer in the early 1500s.
It replaced engraving as the most popular graphic art during the 17th century, and it remains one of the best printing techniques today because it is versatile and the result is subtle.
Iris or Giclee: This technique uses computerized reproduction using a digital file and printing on a special large size ink jet print. The print can be made with ink, acrylic paint or oils. This method of printing has more accuracy and much more beautiful colors than any other reproduction technique.
Lithography: In this technique, prints are "pulled" on a special press whose surface has been chemically treated to allow the ink to stick only to the design areas. The technique was invented in Germany in the late 1790s and was used by many of the great modern-day artists, including Degas, Picasso, Braque and Miro.
Mezzotint: Mezzo means half and Tinta means tone. Thus, this reproduction technique uses a reverse engraving process on a copper or steel plate and produces illustrations in relief with light and shadow effects. What actually happens is that a plate is roughened so that if the plate is inked, it will print in solid black.
Then, certain areas are rubbed down so they do not take the ink. White or gray is placed in these areas to produce the half tone print. This technique was widely used in the 18'th and 19'th centuries, especially for portraits. Once photoengraving was invented, Mezzotint became obsolete.
Monotype : This is a one-of-a-kind print made by painting on a sheet of metal or glass and transferring the still-wet-painting to a sheet of paper by hand or with an etching press. You can make as many prints from one plate as there is remaining paint on the plate. But each print will look differently because of the varying amounts of paint left on the plate. This technique produces new "originals" since every print is different.
Offset Lithography: In this photomechanical technique, the image to be printed is transferred to the negative plates and printed onto papers. Offset lithography is very well adapted to color printing and is used a lot in modern day printing.
Stone Lithography: Using a greasy pencil, the image is drawn onto a stone. This is a lengthy process, taking many days. The biggest concern is that mistakes cannot be erased and must be scraped off with a sharp knife.
Serigraph - Silk-screening: This process is also referred to as serigraphy or screen printing. It is many centuries old and it originated in China. It is similar to hand stenciling.
The image is laid down in layers of color through a screen. A different screen is created for each color. One serigraph can take 100 screens to produce. This process uses photographic exposure and inks are matched to the colors in the original art work by custom mixing colors. Each edition takes about 8 weeks to finish and it requires several people to produce.
Enhanced : Once the reproduction is made, the artist goes over the print and repaints or touches up certain areas. This gives the print an "original" feel.
Canvas Transfer: In this technique, chemical compounds are spread over the painting. When dry, a chemical solution is added that separates the paper from the ink. The ink film is then put on a canvas.
Remarque : This is when the artist paints or draws an original onto a limited edition print. The vast array of printmaking techniques makes art affordable for everyone!
About the author
Stefanie Spikell is a writer and artist who excels in watercolor, mosaic and acrylicpaintings. Stefanie writes for a1paintings.com and other business and art websites.
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