Today, we will be creating our own prints and print editions using the methods of traditional lithography using Kitchen supplies as stand ins for chemicals. The project is inspired by the art and practice of James Siena, an artist known for his compositions that feature intricate patterns those found in nature and those made by humans. Working freehand Sienna creates paths and mazes, which result in a graphic system of movement that reflects the magic and beauty in spite of minor natural or even calculated alterations.
Materials Aluminum Foil China Marker/Crayon/Pastel Corn Startch Pancake Syrup (Gum Arabic) Cola Vegetable Oil Wash Basin for Liquids Oil based paint or ink Lather brayer Watercolor paper Sponges and paper towels Water
Step 1: Wrap a piece of aluminum foil, with the dull side facing you, onto a sturdy surface such as a piece of acrylic. or plexi. Tape down your aluminum on the back. This is your printing “stone” Step 2: Optional – cleanse surface of foil with rubbing alcohol and dab dry. Now you can begin to follow and make your own patterns using a crayon or china marker. The thicker your marks, the more visible your lines will be. Step 3: Once your design is complete, take the drawing and buff (light circular motions on surface) in corn starch powder to protect the design, then wipe off excess with a sponge or paper towel. Step 4: Next spread a thin layer of the pancake syrup over the drawing by buffing in the syrup with a sponge or paper towels. This part of the process acts as Gum Arabic, which will react with the cola in the next step. Step 5: Now, place your drawing into a wash basin, and pour cola over the design a few times until it has been covered. The cola in this step acts like the acid etching process in traditional lithography, separating the image to receive ink and making the background repellant to water. Gently wipe off excess with paper towels. Step 6: Next, take a drop of vegetable oil and evenly coat your piece again with a sponge or paper towel. Any color markings from your drawing will likely disappear, leaving just line marks left behind. Step 7: Now, use a sponge to wet the surface of your drawing – this will need to stay pretty wet so that your ink will only stick to the design. Roll out your ink or paint evenly onto the brayer, then roll the brayer over your design a few times until enough ink has built up to print (there should still be water on the surface as well, repelling the ink from the rest of the design. Step 9: Finally, take a piece of water color paper (dry or damp) and place it directly over your drawing, then apply even pressure on the paper to transfer your very first edition of your lithographic print! Test out making even more prints using the sane design!
Free