Etchings, hand-printed from aquatinted copperplates on a traditional printing press.
An original fine-art print is an original work of art, rather than a copy of a work in another medium. A print is produced by drawing, carving or etching an image onto a matrix such as a metal plate, lino block or wood block. This surface is then inked and the image is transferred to paper or another material by the application of pressure, thus creating an impression, or print. The printed image that results is the exact reverse of the image on the plate.
Making prints at Graphic Studio Dublin
Graphic Studio Dublin founded in 1960, is the largest and oldest printmaking studio in Ireland. Situated in a victorian, former brewery building on the North Circular Road in Dublin, Susan joins over 70 members working in etching, screenprints, linocuts, woodblock, mokuhanga, letterpress, carborundum and photointaglio.
Etchings
Many of Susan’s prints are made by etching an image onto a copper plate. An aquatint dust is applied to the plate, the plate is alternatively stopped out and then immersed in acid, to create a series of light and dark tones on the plate. To print, the plate is inked up, with inked being forced into the etched areas, often in layers of colours and the top surface wiped clean. Dampened, acid-free paper is laid over the inked up plate and it is run through a traditional printing press, creating an impression, or print. The printed image that results is the exact reverse of the image on the plate. The indent of the plate appears on the paper.
Drypoint
Drypoint, like etching, is part of of the intaglio family, in which the image is incised into a plate with a pointed needle onto a copper or acetate plate. A burr thrown up by the incision, in addition with the depressions carved, produce a soft line. The printing process is similar to etching, sometimes with a plate tone of ink left on the plate.
Mokuhanga (Japanese Woodblock)
A traditional japanese printmaking technique, mokuhanga was made internationally known by Ukiyo-e artists. Moku means wood in Japanese, and hanga means print. Mokuhanga is an environmentally friendly technique using only natural materials: wood, watercolour, washi (Japanese handmade paper) and a baren (a handheld tool made from bamboo to print without the need of a printing press). The pigments are applied with a brush and, though being printed by hand, the image is pressed deeply into the washi paper.
Editions
Unlike paintings or drawings, prints usually exist in multiple impressions, each of which has been created from the re-inked plate. The set is called an edition. Each print is individually re-inked and printed by hand at Graphic Studio Dublin. All prints should be hung out of direct sunlight.
