Overseas Arts Gallery - Stone Lithograph Prints

Stone lithography, also known as lithographic printing or lithography, is a traditional printmaking technique that involves creating images on a flat stone surface. This process is based on the principle that oil and water repel each other, allowing for the creation of intricate and detailed prints. The technique was invented in 1798 and became very popular as a medium by the 1830s. It was the first printmaking technology that allowed traditional artists to work using traditional techniques, and to create prints that could rival an original painting in terms of detail, mood, and color variation. 

Here's how the process of stone lithography works:

• Preparation of the Stone: A smooth, flat stone (traditionally limestone) is used as the printing surface. The stone is ground down to create a flat and even surface. This grinding process creates a "grain" on the stone that can hold the ink.
• Drawing or Transferring the Image: An artist creates or transfers the desired image onto the stone using lithographic crayons, pencils, or other oil-based materials. The image is drawn in reverse, as it will be mirrored when printed.
• Chemical Fixing: Once the image is drawn on the stone, it is chemically treated to fix the drawing. This involves applying a mixture of gum arabic and acid onto the stone's surface. The gum arabic protects the drawn image from reacting with water and repelling the ink.
• Inking the Stone: The stone is moistened with water, and then ink is applied using a roller. The ink adheres only to the drawn areas of the stone because the stone's surface repels water.
• Printing: A piece of paper is placed on top of the inked stone, and both are run through a printing press. The pressure from the press transfers the ink from the stone onto the paper, creating the print.
• Repeating the Process: For each print, the stone needs to be inked and wiped clean before printing. This process can be repeated to create multiple copies of the image.
• Editioning: Each print is inspected, signed, and numbered by the artist. Limited editions are common in stone lithography, where only a specific number of prints are created from a single stone.

Stone lithography is valued for its ability to produce high-quality prints with rich and nuanced tonal ranges. It allows artists to create detailed and intricate images that can capture a wide range of textures and effects. However, the process can be complex and time-consuming, as each print requires careful inking and wiping of the stone.

It's worth noting that while traditional stone lithography uses limestone, modern versions of lithography can involve other materials like aluminum plates or polyester plates coated with a photosensitive emulsion. These materials make the process more accessible and less reliant on finding suitable stones.