Using black ink for printing is absolutely fine, however adding one or more colors into a printed image can create visual interest and allow you to achieve certain results not possible with black ink alone. As with the other processes discussed previously, specific consideration must be given in performing each step correctly. If you look at Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” (1826; woodblock print), you’ll notice the use of several colors:
Every color used in the image represents a separate and unique woodblock carved by the artist. Registration marks used in alignment are added to each block and every piece of cut printing paper. Matching the registration marks on the paper to the block, the first run will print only the black contours in the image. The prints pulled are set aside to allow the ink to dry completely, and a second block will be carved. In the second printing run, the new block will be inked with a different color (blue, white, whatever), and the now-dry image pulled from the first run will be re-aligned to the registration marks on the block and printed. This same piece of paper is set aside to dry, and a third block is carved. The process is repeated in this fashion until all desired colors are represented in the image. Registration of the same image to each new block is crucial in ensuring that the colors do not overlap.
Lithographic color printing works on the same types of principles used by Hokusai in his woodblock prints, with the major difference being the material used (drawing on stone instead of carving in wood). As you can probably imagine, choosing to print in color is definitely an investment in time and effort. The end result however is hopefully worth the trouble.
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October 21, 2008 at 9:42 am
Sarah
I remember learing about this painting in Intro to Art. It is definitly amazing, and sounds like it would be tedious. I didnt know that color printing worked like that.
October 21, 2008 at 9:46 am
Courtney
Wow I love that piece. I never knew that it was a print, I always just thought it was a painting. I feel being an art major its always a treat to be able to work in color since so much of what we end up doing is in black and white. It usually requires a ton of work though because the process is always way more involved. I guess that only really holds true for the craft areas in the major. But since we take so many of those classes it seems to come up a lot. I’ve seen some of the color prints in the hall and I agree that some of them really do end up being really cool. Good luck with the color printing, it sounds intense, but I’m sure the end result will be great!