Screen printing (also known as silkscreen or seriography) uses a woven mesh stretched over a frame to support an ink blocking stencil. It's the perfect technique for allowing me to create multiple versions of my original labour intensive, detailed drawings. I wanted to explain how I create these prints, but if you are left with any questions then please do sing out!
Firstly I photocopy my original drawings onto sheets of clear acetate. I then clean my screen and cover it in a thin, even layer of a light sensitive emulsion. Once this is dry I place my acetate drawing upside down onto the face of the screen and expose it to an intense light to expose the screen. After washing off the emulsion the areas where my line drawing are will now be clear and the other areas will be opaque, this means that the ink will only pass through the clear drawn lines.
Here's an example of a screen I've created, you can see the light passing through the clear areas of the mesh, and it's these areas which will print onto the paper.
Here's an example of a screen I've created, you can see the light passing through the clear areas of the mesh, and it's these areas which will print onto the paper.
Below you can see my screen screwed to my desk at home in the studio using clamp hinges. I then block off the edges of the screen (and any other areas I don't want to print) with parcel tape. Using the wooden squeegy (propped up at the top of the screen) I pull it down towards me which forces the ink through the open areas of the mesh and creates a print of my original drawing.
My prints are created in editions of 20, and as I print them I carefully put them into my drying rack taking care that they don't touch and can dry carefully. I use Saunders Waterford High White paper. This is a traditionally made English Watercolour paper made using 100% cotton to archival standards. I use their HP (Hot pressed) paper as it's smooth and allows a clean print from the screen as well as enabling a good watercolour wash. The printing ink I use is waterbased, it has excellent lightfastness and is completely free of any ozone depleting chemical, chemicals toxic to health and heavy metals.
Once dry I use my favourite watercolour paints to add hand coloured details to each piece. It is this element of the process which I enjoy the most, and it takes me a long time to decide on the exact colour to use.
Finally I clarify areas of the print with my fine line pen, drawing in extra details and adding more definition to certain areas until I am completely happy with the finish product. I then sign and number each print by hand before carefully wrapping and storing them individually ready for their new owner.
As each piece is hand printed and painted by me, each one has unique differences. I really enjoy this process of working which enables me to create affordable artwork for peoples homes and businesses, but crucially still making the work by hand with care and passion.
