First there is the artwork... then there is making the print – printmaking.
Picture: Sharp woodcut tools used by Lynne to physically cut out plates.
Making original prints is, like any fine art endeavour (eg: oil painting), a painstaking activity. Original prints are very different to digital art which is created on a computer and printed out using a computerised printer. Digital art is sometimes labelled 'original print', exhibited alongside original prints and referred to as 'printmaking' which is confusing. Digital art does not involve physically cutting out plates, mixing ink, inking plates, positioning plates and paper, or cranking the press. Digital artists press a button to get a print of their artwork. The tools above are not used by digital artists.
"Original Print": The artist intended to make-a-print from the very beginning. Even their very first idea for the work was for a print.
"Printmaker": someone who physically makes prints.
Picture: Sharp woodcut tools used by Lynne to physically cut out plates.Making original prints is, like any fine art endeavour (eg: oil painting), a painstaking activity. Original prints are very different to digital art which is created on a computer and printed out using a computerised printer. Digital art is sometimes labelled 'original print', exhibited alongside original prints and referred to as 'printmaking' which is confusing. Digital art does not involve physically cutting out plates, mixing ink, inking plates, positioning plates and paper, or cranking the press. Digital artists press a button to get a print of their artwork. The tools above are not used by digital artists.
"Original Print": The artist intended to make-a-print from the very beginning. Even their very first idea for the work was for a print.
"Printmaker": someone who physically makes prints.