DVAC Printmaking Demonstration – November 30, 2025
(Submitted by Sherida Etherington)
INTRODUCTION – JESSIE GORDON
The printmakers group meet on Mondays from 12 – 3 pm and also on Wednesdays from 6 – 9 pm. Members are welcome to join them.
To reserve a spot on Mondays, email theo.m.mclaren@gmail.com
To reserve a spot on Wednesdays, email dagammage@gmail.com
Thank you to all the printmakers who presented on Thursday!! All were fascinating!!
1 -THEO McLAREN – MONOTYPE PRINTING
Theo enjoys producing abstract landscapes. Monotype Printing method provides a unique translucency and texture. This printing method produces one print only, not editions. A geliplate is used. Theo uses a disposable palette to mix the paint using palette knives. She applies thin layers of acrylic paint with 2 drops of retarder to the geliplate using small rubber rollers then presses the paper on to the plate by hand (tapes it down and flips for each layer). Papers: Canson XL can be used for practicing; Printmaking paper such as Stonehenge or other brands can be used for better prints. Note, the image will print in reverse. Mark making tools can be used or stencils. Be careful not to dig into the plate but scraping is possible. Subsequent layers are then added and printed on the same paper. There is no need to wait for the previous layer to dry. Caran d’Ache watercolour sticks can be used on the paper as well. The plate can be cleaned with wipes or soap and water (harder to clean if left too long)
2 – DAVID JOHNS – LINO PRINTING
David prints cards, using the fold of the card as a registration device and uses a small Woodzilla press purchased from Amazon. He makes a pen drawing to use to make multiple plates. David mixes the ink on a piece of plexiglass and uses small rubber rollers to apply the ink to the plates, puts the paper down and the plate on top and carefully registers the paper when applying additional printing layers. He used Speedball oil inks. The cutting tool brands mentioned were Speedball or Lee Valley. The plate can be cleaned with odourless solvent (contains petroleum).
3 – JUDE WEISENFELD – LINO HAND PRINTING
Jude uses Speedball professional relief water soluble inks or Cranfield water soluble relief inks (better quality). On a piece of plexiglass, apply the ink in a line at the top, twice the width of your brayer. Use a hard brayer. Move the brayer vertically and horizontally to spread a thin layer of ink. If the ink bubbles you have too much ink on the plexiglass. Ink the plate. Use a soft brayer to make the print on the paper or you can also use a wooden spoon using circular motions. Make sure you get the edges.
4 – MARJUT NOUSIAINEN – SCREENPRINTING
Marjut uses G&S liquid dyes. Address: 300 Steelcase Rd W Unit 19, Markham, ON L3R 2W2 Phone: (905) 415-8559
Apply the inks to a silk screen. Use a screen with a 256 thread count. Apply wallpaper paste across the top of the screen– can be purchased from Home Hardware. Pull down the paste firmly (can be done twice) with a squeegee. A resist can be used but don’t let it sit too long. The water based resist called Guta from Pebeo is no longer available. Wash the screen off. Don’t leave the wallpaper paste too long – clean it immediately.
5 – NATALIE DICHBURN – “GARBAGE” PRINTING
Natalie uses many different types of “plate” using the inside of foil boxes for example, or cardboard or other items found in the garbage. She demonstrated using watercolour paint, printed on damp paper using a small press. Sometimes she prefers the second “ghost” print.
6 – JESSIE GORDON – MULTIPLATE AND REDUCTION LINO
Jessie call herself “the crazy lino printer”. She prints using multiple plates or by using the reduction method (progressively carving away portions of the lino after each print run). She uses gray lino with a thin backing. For fine cutting, warm the plate using a hairdryer. Jessie uses Pfeil cutting tools or a Japanese brand called “Power Group” and uses a registration device for either multiplate or reduction linos.
Note: Laura Boswell’s husband (in Scotland) makes and sells registration devices or make your own.
https://www.lauraboswell.co.uk
Jessie prints by hand using a rice paddle or round box (similar to a baren). A metal spoon could also be used. She uses Caligo Safewash or Cranfield water soluble relief inks. To clean the lino plate, don’t wash it in the sink as the backing will shrink. Sometimes she does a painting of the image before cutting it. The example of this was extremely intricate with foliage and “creatures”.
7 – BONNIE FORD – DRYPOINT AND ETCHING
Bonnie loves to play. She presented examples of multiple prints from the same plate, using different colours and methods. It was a fascinating explosion of creativity!!
DRYPOINT
From Google: Drypoint is an intaglio printmaking method that involves scratching an image into a plate with a pointed tool.These lines create a burr that holds ink.
Draw with an etching tool on a copper plate. Lines and hatching are used. If you use a diamond tip etching tool it never needs to be sharpened. You can use a scaler from a dentist.
ETCHINGS
These are done on a zinc plate.
From Google: To do an etching, you prepare a metal plate by applying a protective “ground,” scratch your design into the ground to expose the metal, and then immerse the plate in acid to etch the exposed lines. After cleaning the plate and removing the ground, ink is applied to the etched grooves, excess ink is wiped from the surface, and a printing press is used to transfer the ink from the plate to paper.
If you make a mistake you can use a burnisher to “erase” it. A layer of chine colle can be added.
