Printing Without a Press - Antony R James.

Over the past couple of years I've been itching to have a go at printmaking, but haven't had the resources.  I've had a go at monotypes, linocuts, waterless lithography (with no success - I can't find the correct sealant!) and kitchen lithography (some success - I can etch foil, but can't print it).

Anyway, after loads of experiments I hit upon a way to make a print that suits my needs. I found a way to produce a print with predictability, at a pace that suited a slow considered approach.

The way I go about it won't really be considered a proper print by purists, however it is a fun, creative way to produce artwork that anyone would be proud of.

Once my "Prints" are finished I upload them to Redbubble.com (Search rusty65).

Here's an example of my "printmaking" - this was created with black Genesis heat set paint brushed onto the back of an inkjet printout of Renoir's 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' and traced on to a blank sheet of standard A4 printing/photocopy paper with a ball point pen. Obviously everything has to be taped to a book or clipboard to preserve registration (so everything lines up - even after weeks of working on the tracing. I would advise using clear tape to secure the A4 blank paper and paint covered inkjet image to the book or clipboard.)

Yes you did read correctly - a tracing can be produced over many weeks at your own pace, so very complex images are possible - once your print is complete, simply use a Genesis heat set gun to dry the paint (read manufacturer's instructions on using the heat set gun, as it can get very hot, and should never be used as a hairdryer!).

My finished print was scanned onto computer and I uploaded it to Redbubble.com