The results of this process are very enjoyable to me, however, to continue, I would have to have a small press which can be very expensive. The one at the school was about $4000. There are smaller, table top presses and they run about $500. I could also continue this by rubbing w/ a special tool but the results are not exactly what I want. I can't press hard enough it seems.
The artist will paint their image or design w/ printer's ink or paint onto a piece of plexi plate or aluminum plate. The plate is placed on the press table, then damp paper is placed on top of the inked or painted plate, a piece of newsprint placed on top of that to protect any ink from getting on the three different thicknesses of a of type padding that is the last layer. Then you turn the handle and the table runs underneath the press. Usually you will get one good print and a ghost….sometimes even a second ghost. The ghost prints can be drawn on with graphite, color pencils or painted on w/ watercolor to embellish them further.
Relief printmaking is also a fun process whereby you draw onto a piece of wood or lineoleum, then cut away with a special gouging tool the part to have no color. I love the results from this as well but the gouging and cutting eventually causes cramping in my hands and fingers. I must take many breaks when doing this.
One of my favorite artist printmakers is Kathe Kollwitz. Here is one of her self portraits.
I did two monoprints to pay homage to another artist, Edvard Munch, and his painting The Scream, which was stolen from a museum then later found.
Here is one of my Homage to the Scream monoprints: 
thesnakeandiandthebutterfly 
I also took one class in jewelry making using silver, nickel and and copper. I loved the bracelet I made and two rings and copper box. Kathy has the copper box and I will take a photo of it when I visit there for Thanksgiving. The other things I will photograph too and do a post. I'd continue with this because I still have all the tools but not the gas torch. But I hated lighting that torch. Scared the crap out of me.I also took two ceramic classes. I loved making the free form vases by hand but did not like using the potters wheel at all. When using the wheel, you had to keep a wet sponge nearby to keep the clay wet. I'd forget and lay it on the wheel while it was going around and it would go flying off. Just maybe, when his sons get a bit older and have to take other classes in college not related to their field of interest, they might take something in art and discover they like it. Who knows.
Originally posted by ellinidata:
Same here. I love talking about art and all the creative things we do. I don't know what I'd do without it.
Originally posted by PainterWoman:
hahaha I hear you, I was too soft with my hands too, the instructor use to tell me ,"mold do not caress so much! " 😆 I am not good at it but I like it lots! I do succeed more with mosaics. I usually use colorful plates that I break in pieces and I shape them or simply I create images what i hold..Tonight I went to see a play but now I am planning to knit for an hour. Creativity comes in many forms and shapes and I love adding every day something, even if it is a very short time… :heart:I am looking forward to the picture of the box and the posting on it ! thanks for sharing Pam… it is a treat talking to you always. Somehow I miss this ,not many members on Opera or Plurk are willing to share their passions…:heart:
:coffee: :heart:
I'll have a cup at 10pm. :happy:
I just started posting pictures of my wild trip to Utah and back. I will get more up later.