About Printmaking
Linoleum Block Printing
Linoleum was invented in England in the late 1860’s to be used as a floorcovering material. Subsequently it was discovered by artists as an excellent surface for carving and printing. Since it is relatively soft with no grain it can be easily carved in any direction with different size gouges. First a drawing is done and transferred to the linoleum. A separate plate is carved for each color and the plates are printed in succession so one color can register over the other. The most sensitive way to print a linoleum plate is to use a thin and strong sheet of Japanese paper and print them by hand. The back is rubbed with a barren or spoon. Since a press is not needed this is the ideal printmaking method to use for traveling! Linoleum prints are limited edition multiples.
Monoprint
Monoprints have been made throughout history ,but have been embraced recently by contemporary artists in the past 20 years. Leni has been making monoprints and developing her own technique since she first learned about printmaking in 1980 at Pratt Institute. The biggest difference between a monoprint and other techniques is that it is one-of-a-kind. When Leni makes a monoprint she makes many separate cutouts from a thin material. These cutouts are inked one at a time using rollers and brushes and then put together onto a background plate. The technique is somewhat like building a collage. The whole composition is then printed using an etching press. The cutouts can be re-used to make a related series, but no two prints are exactly alike.
Collagraph
Collagraph means printed collage. The plate is made of matt board. Matt board consists of many layers of fiber laminated together. It is possible to carve matt board and peel away layers using an xacto knife. You can also glue textured materials to the plate as well. The plate is sealed with a polymer medium and then printed using an etching press. Leni studied collagraph technique with Clare Romano. Clare is one of the pioneers of the collagraph and is well known for her artwork and excellent books, The Complete Printmaker and Collagraph Printing. Collagraphs are printed as multiples and if the plate is well made they can last for up to 50 prints or more.
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