Melanie Mascarenhas
Artist of Wildlife & the Natural World
Stone Lithography
I had the great privilege of attending an amazing stone lithography workshop held at Oaks Editions Studio in October 2013.
The course was run by Simon Burder, who is a very patient and inspiring tutor.
Lithography relies on the principle that oil and water don't mix. The image drawn onto the stone needs to be greasy in order for the oil-based printing ink to stick to it.
Creating an image on my prepared stone, using a combination of greasy crayons, drawing ink and lithographic tusche.
Rolling printing ink over the stone in readiness to print. I had to remember to keep the stone damp in order for the ink to adhere to the greasy image as opposed to the stone.
Based on sketches from a visit to Wisley.
Inspired by a roadside sketch.
I had so much fun with this feather design. I tried to use gum arabic to mask out the main image. It forms an excellent resist and can really lend texture to the background. I used a toothbrush to flick the gum arabic as well as a stiff bristled brush to leave some sweeping lines. A spirit tusche was applied once the gum arabic had dried.
Based on sketches from a visit to Wisley.