Relief Printmaking

The best and most complete guide to every aspect of relief printmaking for beginners, students, and professionals, this practical guide provides clear, step-by-step illustrated instructions and is the first to include a comprehensive and detailed treatment of linocutting. Over 450 photos and artworks.

A comprehensive technical guide to relief printmaking, describing both traditional and progressive modes of practice and introducing Chinese and Japanese block printing. It also includes the work of international artists and personal descriptions of their methods, making it a practical and inspirational guide for both students and practitioners.

This is a facsimile edition of the first book to document and explore nontraditional "pressure printing" techniques for creating multicolor shading in relief printing of wood engravings and linoleum blocks. The author shows the process for applying shaped backing layers behind the paper to be printed, in order to create a unique artistic effect. "Several of the methods described require but one engraved block for producing prints in any number of colors, while the traditional method requires a separate engraved block for each color used, and in another method the engraved block is not necessary at all for making prints in many colors," the author writes. Experiments in Relief Print Making, by Charles Smith, was originally published in 1954 by the University of Virginia Press in a limited edition of 300 copies. It features six images printed by letterpress in multiple colors from hand-cut plates and the artist's original make-ready layers. Each color print is accompanied by reproductions showing separations of the individual color layers in isolation. For the facsimile edition all of the finished images and layers are displayed at their full original size, using high resolution scans from the limited edition 1954 book. "The term 'direct impression' as used here means that the block has been engraved and color transferred directly from the engraved block to the printing paper. The make-ready or indirect impression is different in that pressure is applied to the reverse side of the paper causing the image to offset from a block to the printing paper. This impression is never as sharp and clear as the direct impressions. Usually a combination of the two will produce softness and sharpness, although either may be used separately for certain desirable effects."

Relief printing : woodcut, metal type, and wood engraving -- Intaglio and planographic printing : engraving, etching, mezzotint, and lithography -- Color printing : hand coloring and multiple-impression color -- Bits and pieces : modern art prints, oddities, and photographic precursors -- Early photography in silver : daguerreotypes, early silver paper processes and tintypes -- Non-silver processes : carbon, blueprint, platinum, and a couple of others -- Modern photography : developing-out gelatin silver printing -- Color notes : primary colors and neutrality -- Color photography : separation-based processes and chromogenic prints -- Photography in ink : relief and intaglio printing : the letterpress halftone and gravure printing -- Photography in ink : planographic printing : collotype and photo offset lithography -- Digital processes : binary issues, inkjet, dye sublimation, and digital C-prints -- Where do we go from here? : some questions about the future

Comprehensive handbook covers materials and equipment, tools, printing papers, presses, and other essentials. Detailed instructions for etching, engraving, drypoint, collagraphs, tuilegraphs, and the Blake transfer method.

Linocut is used to stunning effect by artists, illustrators and designers because of its strong graphic qualities, accessibility and versatility. Whether you are printing by hand on your kitchen table or on a press in a print studio, this book gets you started and goes on to explore the myriad creative applications of linocut. It encourages you to experiment with different approaches to image making and explores new ways of thinking about how linocut can be used. Nick Morley shares his experience and specialist knowledge to make this practical guide an essential companion for everyone interested in this addictive and absorbing medium. Detailed information on which tools to buy, where to find the best materials, and how to set up your working space backed up with clear, step-by-step instructions and over 300 colour illustrations make this an essential guide to the vibrant and exciting art of linocut.

This book provides the basics of this craft with a detailed analysis of its tools and media. This improved second edition features two new chapters that teach artists step-by-step how to make an engraving and linocut.

Woodblock printing is an ancient art form, which produces beautiful, subtle and lively pieces with just a few simple materials. This book introduces the art, and shares technical information and ideas for those with more experience. A wide range of exciting examples of printed woodcuts are shown along with advice on materials and tools, and a step-by-step guide to sharpening. Techniques to achieve quality prints and perfect registration are covered too. Drawing on the vibrant living traditions from China and Japan, it is both a technical guide and an inspiration. Beautifully illustrated with 160 colour photographs.