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Unlike most other print processes such as etching, linocut, and
other relief process in which the design is cut into the surface,
Lithography is a printing process in which the printing and non-
printing areas of the plate are all at the same level.
The Image: Lithography is based on the chemical repellence of
oil and water. The designs are drawn or painted with greasy ink
or crayons on a specially prepared limestone, and then
chemically etched into the stone. The stone is moistened with
water, and an oily ink is applied with a roller. The in adheres only
to the drawing and is repelled by the wet parts of the stone.
Printing: The artist then has the task of moving the heavy
limestone to the printing press, and must often use the help of
machinery to lift it. The print is made by placing paper on the
stone with and a plate to protect it. The stone is then rolled
through the press. The scraper bar slides along the greased
plate pressing the paper against the stone so that it lifts the
ink from the stone.
Color: Color lithography is a more complex process that involves
multiple pressings—one for each color in the image. This
requires an extensive knowledge of color theory because the
process requires the mixing of colors on the final image itself.
The colors are layered—light to dark—on top of the original
image. The ink colors can be altered to print transparently,
letting the color beneath show through and creating greater
color variations in the final print. The entire creative and print
process must then be repeated for each color layer.
The Final Product: The final product is a signed and numbered
print edition. The number of editions varies, but due to the
tedious nature of printing is usually a small quantity, unless the
artist is utilizing assistants. Another difference between
Lithography and other methods of printmaking is that the stone
can be reused over and over again, so the original image is not
saved, and can never be reproduced.
2 color lithograph with
color dry roll
2 color lithograph with
color dry roll
2 color lithograph
2 color lithograph
2 color lithograph
2 color lithograph
2 color lithograph
2 color lithograph