MAKING TRANSFERS

The new year got off to a great start for CBAS Study Group on January 11 as a dozen members learned the art of making transfer prints from photocopies. Longtime Art Academy of Cincinnati printmaking instructor April Foster was a wonderful guide through the process.

April mixing ink.

April first demonstrated the steps of mixing ink until the right color, transparency and viscosity are reached, then preparing the photocopy for accepting ink, and finally running the treated original and receiving paper through the press.

Rubbing the photocopy with gum arabic so the ink adheres to the image.

Lightly rolling the specially mixed ink onto the prepared photocopy.

The enthusiastic and well prepared participants then went to their own carefully organized work stations to follow April's instructions and begin making their own prints. Images members brought to work from ranged from vintage family photos to elements found in nature to architectural designs to pet portraits, and everyone had the opportunity to experiment with the process. Excitement mounted when we gathered around the presses to watch participants lift the corners of their papers to reveal the newly created prints.

Tah-dah! A first-time printmaker's first prints are revealed.

For those who want to pursue their printmaking, April encouraged membership in Tiger Lily Press (TLP), which offers a variety of classes and opportunities for members to sign up for open studio and use of the TLP presses. Check them out at http://tigerlilypress.org

Many thanks to April for sharing her expertise and enthusiasm for a kind of printmaking that has myriad applications for bookmakers.

April, the perfect guide for our experiments, answers a Study Group member's question.

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Thanks to Janice K., Study Group Coordinator, for images and a wonderful report on this event.