The Print Makers
An Exhibition of printmaking in South India
Etching
An Intaglio process in which the image is marked on the metal plate by exposing it to the corrosive action of acid. The plate is first coated with acid resisting material such as wax, bitumen or resin ground. Then the design is scratched on it using a needle revealing the metal which is progressively bitten when the plate is immersed in acid. The reverse and edge of the plate is protected by varnish. The plate is then inked and printed
Aquatint
A process of achieving tones by etching a plate covered with fine resin dust. The white areas of the design are blocked with varnish and when the plate is immersed in acid is only bitten between each particle of dust. Apart from the strength of the acid used, the time given for biting is the decisive factor for the tone achieved
Woodcut
A relief print gouged out of the long grain of a plank of wood. The image is printed from the raised surface of the block from which the white areas of the design have been cut away
Dry Point
A mark made directly on the plate not by engraving but scratching with a sharp pointed tool. The sliver of metal raised during the process is left intact on the plate thus retaining an excess of ink which produces a soft blur to the printed line
Viscosity
In this method mult-icolour prints is obtained from a single plate which is so etched as to form different levels. Inks of various colour and viscosity are applied to the different levels with the help of rollers of various degrees of softness, the softest one being used to reach the bottom most layer
Screen print
A process which is particularly suited to make prints with large or flat colour areas on various kinds of surface. Gestural marks are achieved by stopping areas with a liquid which hardens to form an impenetrable barrier to the ink. Ink is squeezed over the entire screen with a rubber blade which forces it through the uncovered areas of the screen to print a uniform tone. This is popular because it requires relatively little equipment and unlike other processes the image is not reversed
Lithograph
The basic principle of lithography is the antipathy of oil and water. The design is drawn on the plate, traditionally a slab of limestone with a greasy crayon or ink. The design is fixed with dilute acid which turns the visible surface mark into a latent image. The image is moistened with water which is retained by the areas not affected by grease. An oily ink is applied with a roller which is repelled by the moist areas.
