Printmaking Techniques

Library Journal

An understanding of printmaking involves a familiarity with a wide variety of materials and processes. While entire volumes have been devoted to the in-depth study of many a particular process, Ayres has done an admirable job of distilling this imposing body of knowledge into a succinct and useful form. The author presents sufficient information to allow an aspiring printmaker to sort out the characteristics of different techniques and to begin working in one of the media. The illustrations, some of them the author's own work, are instructive and well presented. A useful list of suppliers makes this handy as a studio reference tool, while art teachers might find it useful as a text for a beginning printmaking course. Recommended for undergraduate academic, high school, and public libraries.-- Mark Woodhouse, Elmira Coll. Lib., N.Y.

Booknews

Collagraphy, engraving, etching, linocut, lithography, screen printing, and woodcuts, are among the techniques for making prints detailed by award-winning artist Ayres. She provides photographs and text to explain the materials and equipment, each step of each process, and each stage of example prints. Beautifully illustrated. No bibliography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Donna Seaman

This informative and well-designed book will answer all questions that readers have about identifying and understanding various printmaking procedures, tools, and materials. The term "print" confuses people because it refers to a great range of images that are obviously the result of many different production methods and variations in papers, inks, and plates. Ayres clearly explains the differences between relief, intaglio, and lithographic printing techniques, as well as screen printing, collagraphs, offset, and computer-generated printing. More than 340 color plates and 50 black-and-white illustrations present diverse examples of finished artworks which are contrasted with step-by-step coverage of printmaking processes, from linocuts to mezzotints to photosensitive stencils. Both traditional techniques and innovative approaches are carefully described, and advice for working with new nontoxic chemicals and inks is provided.