The Art of Printmaking

Printmaking The fine art of printmaking is concerned with the production of images by varying methods of replication onto paper, parchment, fabric or other supports. The resulting fine prints (impressions), while not 'original' in the sense of a fine art painting or drawing, are considered nevertheless to be works of art in their own right, even though they exist in multiples. It remains to be seen whether the latest fine printing techniques alter this assessment. Printmaking, which encompasses woodcuts, engraving, etching, mezzotint, aquatint, drypoint, lithography, screen-printing, digital prints and foil imaging is often a core component of fine-arts training courses, and today's printmakers are grounded in most of these print methods.

Tristesse du Roi, Lithograph, by Henri Matisse.

The Basic Printmaking Process

Woman and Dog in front of Moon (1936) Lithograph, by Joan Miro.

Techniques

Elizabeth Taylor (c.1967) Silkcreen print, by Andy Warhol.

(2) Intaglio printing .

Yellow Sun Over the City (1973), lithograph by Marc Chagall.

(3) Planographic

FINE ART PRINTS For a list of terms related to engraving, etching, lithography woodblock, screenprinting and other print forms, see: Printmaking Glossary. HISTORY OF VISUAL ARTS For a list of important dates about movements, styles, famous artists - like painters and printmakers - see: History of Visual Art Timeline. VISUAL ARTS CATEGORIES Definitions, forms, styles, genres, periods, see: Types of Art.

Stencils History Belle Epoque Poster Lithographs

Twentieth Century Printmakers Irish Printmakers

• For more information about graphic art in Ireland, see: Irish Art Encyclopedia.