April Richardson - Printmaking

printmaking • demo

April Richardson starts with a drawing from life, and combines painting, printmaking, and collage to make mixed media monotypes, unique prints. Lush color, flowing lines and sensual curves and edges create a world within each painting. She applies thin layers of ink and paper and then scrapes or tears them away, rebuilding layer after layer to achieve depth and rich textures. Paint and other surface treatments transform a print to a complex and evocative painting.

Step 1.This is a Polymetaal JSV-80 etching press. The works consist of an upper and lower roller, the bed, and the star wheel with gears attached to the lower roller. When the star wheel is turned, the lower roller turns, which moves the bed.

Step 2. Tighten screws on both sides to increase the pressure of the roller against the bed.

Step 3. Tape a full-size photocopy of the line drawing to the back of the paper.

Step 4. Determine the color scheme and mix oil-based etching inks with a drop of flash oil for thinner.

Step 5. Roll colors on the plate with a brayer, thin and pretty dry. Step 6. Set the plate and the paper on a registration. Trace the drawing.

Step 7. Here is the positive drawing Step 8. Here is how the plate looks after first drawing

Step 9. Place the plate, paper, and blotters on the press bed. Cover with thick blankets, which protect the roller and plate. Step 10. A second clean sheet of paper is placed on the plate and registration. Cover with the blankets, and turn the star wheel. Here is the negative.

Step 11. Pick up the positive print and replace it on the plate. Cover with the blankets and run this one through the press too. Step 12. Here is the positive after pressing. Notice the soft colored background.

Step 13. Here is how the positive and the negative look together. Step 14. The brayer may be rolled directly on the print.

Step 15. Select colored paper for collage. Step 16. Print silk tissue for more delicate collage material.

Step 17. Apply collage with acrylic matte medium. Step 18. Choose colored pencils for fine detail.

Reflecting Pool

Deep Pool

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Step 1.This is a Polymetaal JSV-80 etching press. The works consist of an upper and lower roller, the bed, and the star wheel with gears attached to the lower roller. When the star wheel is turned, the lower roller turns, which moves the bed.		Step 2. Tighten screws on both sides to increase the pressure of the roller against the bed.

Step 3. Tape a full-size photocopy of the line drawing to the back of the paper.		Step 4. Determine the color scheme and mix oil-based etching inks with a drop of flash oil for thinner.

Step 5. Roll colors on the plate with a brayer, thin and pretty dry.		Step 6. Set the plate and the paper on a registration. Trace the drawing.

Step 7. Here is the positive drawing		Step 8. Here is how the plate looks after first drawing

Step 9. Place the plate, paper, and blotters on the press bed. Cover with thick blankets, which protect the roller and plate.		Step 10. A second clean sheet of paper is placed on the plate and registration. Cover with the blankets, and turn the star wheel. Here is the negative.

Step 11. Pick up the positive print and replace it on the plate. Cover with the blankets and run this one through the press too.		Step 12. Here is the positive after pressing. Notice the soft colored background.

Step 13. Here is how the positive and the negative look together.		Step 14. The brayer may be rolled directly on the print.

Step 15. Select colored paper for collage.		Step 16. Print silk tissue for more delicate collage material.

Step 17. Apply collage with acrylic matte medium.		Step 18. Choose colored pencils for fine detail.
Reflecting Pool		Deep Pool