Photo Lithography on Clay

Blogging seems to have taken a backseat to the gorgeous summer weather.  Of course, it doesn't help if I keep forgetting to take my camera to the studio with me when I go.  I've been riding my back to the studio which only takes a couple of minutes.  I actually wish it took longer.  There are so many flowers in bloom that it is an olfactory experience everyday.  Tonight I had to ride around the circular drive that goes around a huge magnolia tree just so I could keep smelling it.

I have been experimenting in the studio again.  This time it is photo lithography on clay.  Here is my very messy little setup.  I'm using a sheet of plexi underneath the ink.  I could have used glass but we have lots of plexi in the plaster room.  Just cleaned it up first.  My ink is linseed oil mixed with Mason stain 6600.  I have been watching the demo on Ceramic Arts Daily by Kristina Bogdanov.  It is a great demo and I finally had to try it out for myself.  I wont go into great detail here.  Kristina does a much better job.

Here is my printing plate.  I xeroxed this super cute little batty image for my test.  The plate is set into water and water is flooded over the top and then sponged off.  The wet paper repels the ink while the toner attracts it.

Here I am trying to roll the inked brayer and take a photo at the same time.  Not such a great idea.  I almost didn't notice that my plate was rolling around the brayer. After inking the plate it gets flooded and sponged off and then inked again.  One more flood of water to wash off the excess ink and it is ready to transfer.  The plate gets gently lifted by the corner and is placed image side down onto soft leather hard clay.  The transfer is left to sit for a minute and then burnished with the back of a spoon or soft rubber rib.

Pulling back a corner for a peek.  I actually could have placed the corner back down and burnished some more.  I didn't quite have all the detail I wanted but I was too impatient to see the image.  Also I have been having a hard time with the paper sticking to the clay and tearing so I thought I might try to peel it off sooner.

Looking pretty interesting so far.

Ooh, Ahh!

Ta Da!

Definitely go check out the link for more info.  I also have been reading the photo litho transfer method in Maureen Mills' book Surface Design for Ceramics.  What is interesting and different about her technique is that she uses polyester litho plates instead of paper.  This sounds more durable and I think I might try it.  The paper sticking to the clay will burn off but I want to layer images and I don't want the paper bits to get stuck in the way.  Who knows?  I need more practice and maybe I'll get the technique down better.  But it would still be fun to try the polyester litho paper because you can put it into a laser printing and print the artwork directly.  Has anyone else worked with this technique?  I'd love to hear any tricks or tips you might have.