LITHOGRAPHY: BLACK AND WHITE AND COLOR DELIGHT

  Light and dark values, soft, liquid blends, textural shading, thick and thin linear drawing, vibrant contrasts---lithography has it all. Stone lithos are not often used in secondary education, but the paper substitute is very good. The left illustration shows some needed materials which can be obtained as single items or in a "kit" form.

  A drawing is made on specially treated paper with lithocrayons, pencils, or brushes and tusche. An eraser is available. Plate solution covers the completed drawing to desensitize the paper so ink will adhere to only the drawn areas. The printing inks, especially formatted for the paper needs mineral spirits for cleanup.

  Ink drawing and Lithography have many similarities in diversity of tonal contrasts, textural surfaces and linear design. However, to "print" the design and have many reproductions to sell and exchange with others is particularly enjoyable. Although these examples used black ink, colors are available. In general I found the paper masters provided a good introductory experience of the lithographic process in place of stone. Enjoy giving it a try!