Printmaking

Printmaking Printmaking is the act of creating a work of art with the intention of making reproductions of it. There are many different types of printmaking, including etching, block-cutting, and screen printing.

Techniques and Tools Printmaking can be done in a variety of ways: typically a plate or block has a design etched onto it, and then ink is applied to the block. Paper is then pressed onto the inked block to make a negative (reverse) copy of the image.

Editions A series of prints of the same plate is called an edition. The edition number usually signifies the number of the print, and the number of prints overall from a particular plate. Once you have reached the overall limit, it is morally wrong to EVER print from that plate again without making some sort of adjustment to it… adding lines, changing colors, etc.

Prints At the bottom of a print, information about it is usually written in pencil. Typical print information includes the edition number, title of the print, and signature from the artist, to be sure it is genuine.

History of Printmaking Printmaking began in China after paper was invented in about 105 CE. Since the invention of the Printing Press, printmaking has been an inexpensive and effective way for artists to make a living… it gave rise to the first “commercial artists.” Tomb rubbing, China, 2nd. C. CE

In Korea and Japan in the 8th c. (700 CE-800CE) There were great advances in printmaking – Creation of Buddhist texts

The first book .. Where do you think it was made? From the Diamond Sutra, 868 CE

Moveable Type Koreans invented moveable type in 1377 century – pieces of type are cast of bronze: This book was called the JIKJI Johannes Gutenberg was credited with inventing moveable type in Europe in 1438

Europe In 1400, over six centuries after it was introduced in Asia, Europeans begin woodblock printing The first edition ever printed in Europe was a set of playing cards.

Gutenberg Bible 1438

So, when does printing become a method for making ART???? In the 15th and 16th centuries

Albrecht Dürer Albrecht Dürer was the first European to realize the benefit to printmaking… one block could yield several hundred prints that could be sold at a nice price. In effect, he became the first commercial artist.

Dürer’s “Rhinoceros”

Dürer’s “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”

Rembrandt The Three Crosses, 1653, Intaglio Printmaking

Rembrandt, Self-portrait With a cap, 1630

Japanese Printmaking, 19th Century Some of the best prints ever were made by Japanese printmakers in this era The most famous of all Japanese printmakers were Hokusai and Hiroshige

Ukiyo-e (19th centure Japanese Printmaking Hokusai, Mount Fuji, 1830

Hokusai Mount Fuji, 1834

Hokusai

Hiroshige, View of Shrine, 1854

Hiroshige, Bamboo Yards, 1857

Hiroshige, Rice Fields, 1857

19th century European Prints Delacroix, Tiger,1829

19th Century European Prints John Everett Millais, 1870’s

19th Century American Prints Whistler, Nocturne, 1879-80 19th Century American Prints

And in the 20th Century … Anything goes!

Picasso Prints Lithograph

Picasso linoprints

George Grosz

Edward Hopper Night, 1936

Andy Warhol Campbell’s Soup Can, Screenprint, 1968

Andy Warhol Marilyn, 1967, Screenprint

So many possibilities Claude Flight, Speed, 1927

So many possibilities Romare Bearden, The Train 1975

So many possibilities Blair Fornwald, Lads, 2010

So many possibilities Bob Blackburn, Girl, 1980