History of Printmaking

A Brief History of Printmaking
Compiled by Highpoint Center for Printmaking
Printmaking has shaped culture in all parts of the world. Originally used as a form of communication, printmaking is now valued as an artistic medium with unique technical qualities. To make a print, the artist typically creates an image on a surface made out of metal, stone, wood, or other materials; the surface is then inked, and pressed onto paper to create an original print. By repeating the printing process, the artist is able to create multiple original works of art.
Printmaking has its roots in prehistoric times, when humans placed their hands on cave walls and blew pulverized pigment around them to create images. In approximately 500 BC, Sumerians carved images on cylinder seals that could be pressed into wet clay, thereby creating multiple imprints to indicate the ownership of goods. Chinese scholars created rubbings from carved texts around 200 AD, an early form of printing that could be done on paper and silk.
The invention of paper set the stage for printmaking throughout the world, because paper was affordable and well-suited to printing. As papermaking knowledge spread from China to the rest of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, printmaking became more widespread and technologically sophisticated.
Printmaking initially flourished as a form of communication, for it enabled artists to make multiples that could be disseminated to a large number of people. Starting in the eighth century, Japanese artists used printmaking to make multiple editions of Buddhist manuscripts. In fourteenth century Europe, woodcut prints became a popular way to distribute Christian images to the common people. In the fifteenth century, Gutenberg’s printed Bible ushered in a whole new era of literacy.
From the Renaissance onward, individual artists became known for their spectacular use of printmaking. Albrecht Dürer dazzled fifteenth century audiences with the exquisite detail and consummate craftsmanship of his paintings, woodblock prints, and engravings. Two centuries later, Rembrandt’s mastery of the intaglio medium enabled him to create an influential group of over three hundred printmaking plates. About the same time, Japanese artists such as Katsushika Hokusai took the art of woodblock printing to new heights. Over time, the “toolbox” of printmaking techniques expanded to include etching, mezzotint, and eventually lithography, silkscreen, and monoprint. As processes became more complex, more artists began to work in print shops with professional facilities and the expertise of a Master Printer.
The late nineteenth century saw the rise of the artist-printmaker in Europe and the United States. Whether working independently or collaboratively with Master Printers, these artist-printmakers helped to firmly establish their medium within the artistic canon. Seminal figures within the nineteenth century include Turner, Whistler, Blake, Degas, Cassatt, and Goya. Artist-printmakers in the first half of the twentieth century include legends such as Chagall, Matisse, Munch, Picasso, Miro, Arp, Ernst, Dali, Kollwitz, Beckmann, Barlach, Kandinsky, Klee, Hopper, and more.
In the same time period, artists all over the world carried printmaking to new heights. Japanese artists, for example, worked within the established tradition of ukiyo-e printmaking to create luminous woodblock prints depicting scenes from mythology and everyday life. In Mexico, artists such as José Posada flocked to printmaking for its graphic beauty and potential to effect social change. The famous Mexican Taller de Gráfica Popular (Workshop for Popular Graphics) provided access and inspiration for an entire generation of artists.
Contemporary artists continue to use printmaking for its unique visual qualities. As today’s artist-printmakers work with time-honored hand processes, often in communal printmaking workshops that foster collaboration and innovation, they build on the rich traditions of their artistic forebears.
Printmaking: Vegetable Prints
Vegetable prints are perhaps the easiest way to introduce printmaking to your students. It is not necessary to create a printing plate since various vegetables are used to transfer the ink to the printed surface. Some vegetables that make interesting prints are: carrots, starfruit, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, pears, apples, celery.

Experiment with cuts from different vegetables to make unique prints. Try cutting a bell pepper in half and see what kind of print it makes. Another popular vegetable to use for printmaking is potatoes. Cut a potato in half, draw a simple pattern onto the cut end of the potato, and use a knife to carefully cut around the design to make a stamp.

Materials:
Tempera paint or ink
Sponges
Paint brushes
Styrofoam trays or shallow containers
Construction paper or printing paper
Selection of various vegetables and fruits
Knife to cut vegetables

Vegetable Print Process:

1. Cut fruits and vegetables into pieces that show interesting designs.
2. Dip the vegetables into a thin layer of paint or use a brush to paint onto the vegetable.
3. Another technique is to put paint onto a sponge for more control over how much paint is transferred to the vegetable. Stamp the vegetable onto paper in random or ordered patterns.
4. Older students may want to use fabric paint and print designs onto fabric. These can be used for wall hangings or to make pillows, scarves, etc.

Printmaking: Collagraphs/Collage Blocks

A Collagraph print is a collage printmaking technique. The term collagraph refer to a collage board where the materials are assembled on a flat base or plate (matrix) to form a relief block with different surface levels and textures. The collagraph plate is printed in the same way as etchings or relief printing. Collagraph plates are created by sticking and gluing materials like textured paper or fabric onto the plate and then coat it with varnish or acrylic medium afterwards to protect the materials. The plate can be made from wood plates or cardboard plates that you build up using different materials.

Materials:
Cardboard sized for printing plate
Scrap cardboard, fabrics, lace, papers, etc.
Printing ink or tempera paint
Construction paper or printing paper
Glue
Brayers
Scissors or X-acto knives
Inking plate (glass, plexi-glass, or aluminum foil covered cardboard)
Matte medium (optional)


The Collagraph printing process:

1. Use scrap materials (papers, fabrics, string, seeds, etc.) to create an interesting collage design on the printing plate. When satisfied with the design, glue materials to the plate. Let dry overnight.
2. Spread ink onto an inking plate and roll brayer until it is evenly coated with ink. Roll over the printing plate to coat evenly.
3. Position plate onto printing paper. Carefully turn over and rub with a wooden spoon or your hand to transfer the image.
4. Hang print to dry. At the bottom of the print, add your name flush to the left side, the title in the middle, and the edition number (1/3, 2/3, 3/3, etc.) on the right.

Many different plates can also be printed on top of each other, one color for each plate. The effect can give the print a lot of depth, especially if you use a lot of transparency in the ink. Since each plate has a different design, the color from the last plate will come through and you end up with a multi-colored result.

Randy H. Jolly, NBCT

Miriam P. Wahl, Ed.D., NBCT