Ba1b - Print.

The print workshop offered us a chance to extend our skills and knowledge of a range of contemporary approaches to using print within fine art practice. The aim was to produce a 2-tone composite print in the first week and a woodcut print in the second. As well as the prints we were encouraged to add text which could be a slogan, quote or our own writing, the text could be no longer than 10 words.

Screen printing was originally and still is a form of stencilling which originated in China and was widely recognised and adapted in other Asian countries like Japan who created new methods. This form of printing was introduced into Western Europe around the 18th century but wasn't widely accepted until in the early 20th century when several printers experimented with photo-reactive chemicals which revolutionised the commercial printing industry. Through the 1960's many artists developed the process into their practises and have used screen-printing as an expression of their creativity and artistic vision. Andy Warhol is particularly known for popularising screen-printing as an artistic technique with his most famous work being the Marilyn Diptych. Other artists who have used screen-printing as a constant throughout their careers included Robert Rauschenburg, Roy Lichtenstein, Arthur Okamura and Harry Gottleib.

Robert Rauschenburg 'storyline 1'

The screen-printing process involves the image being chemically bonded to the screen with the rest of the screen around the image coated so that ink cannot pass through. Once the screen is prepared then ink can be applied to the screen, using a squeegee or a large pallet knife the screen is flooded with the ink so that the exposed image is fully covered then the screen is lowered onto the canvas or paper and the ink is then pushed back over the image. When the screen is lifted is should leave a perfect impression of the image.

 Woodblock printing is a form of printing originating again from China, it was the most common technique for printing text, images or patterns on cloth and then later paper. In East Asia, woodblock printing proved to be more enduring than in Europe, continuing well into the 19th century as the major form of printing texts, especially in China, even after the introduction of the European printing press. Ukiyo-e is the best known type of Japanese woodblock art print. Most European uses of the technique for printing images on paper are covered by the art term woodcut, except for the block-books produced mainly in the 15th century.

Example of 'Ukiyo-e' art

The process of woodblock printing is relatively straight forward, the image is drawn or traced onto the wood (usually birchwood) and then the white or blank areas are cut away to create the relief which will be printing. When the blank areas are cut away ink can then be applied to the relief image and then printed by applying pressure to the paper and woodblock. The print will come out as the reverse of the image on the block. Multi coloured prints can be made but several wood blocks are needed.