Creative Lithography and How to Do It

Since its invention in the early part of the 19th century by Alois Senefelder, lithog raphy has always been not only a very important form of commercial reproduction, but also an art medium of great value. Many of the most important graphic artists have made use of the seemingly endless resources of the process, and currently there has been a considerable revival of interest in it.Lithography is really not a difficult technique to use, and the equipment that one needs is minimal and not expensive. With the present volume, prepared by one of the foremost lithographic artists, a handy reader should be able to make entirely satisfactory prints. Mr. Arnold approaches lithography as an art medium, and while providing a detailed coverage that will anticipate all your problems, he takes you through each stage of the process: selection and preparation of the stone, sealing and cleaning, preparing paper, constructing the press, the printing operation, process ing after printing. A special chapter is devoted to specific things that can go wrong. and shows you how to correct them.Mr. Arnold covers many types and variations of lithography: direct drawing on the stone (pencil, tusche, dry brush, lithotint, mezzotint, etc.) and transfer techniques from other substances. Color printing is covered in quite a bit of detail, while the use of zinc and aluminum plates as an art form is also considered. Throughout the book the exposition is extremely clear and very concrete, revealing simple, modern techniques that are easily used.While this book is primarily intended for the person who has never made a lithograph before, it provides such a wealth of detail (based upon years of practical experience) and conveys so much about modern understandings that even an experienced lithog. rapher is likely to learn much from it. This is an ideal guidebook for anyone inter ested in this art form.