Bill Hosterman
Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Dr.
Allendale, MI 49401-9403 USA
Telephone: (616) 331-3562
Email: hostermw@gvsu.edu
Web: www.gvsu.edu (Look under Art and Design)
Technical Demonstration: “Drypoint Lithography: A Printmaking Method for Metal Lithographic Plates”
During a Fulbright scholarship to study printmaking in South Africa, Master Printer Mark Attwood of The Artists' Press introduced me to a new printmaking process that can best be described as drypoint lithography. The process is a hybrid of intaglio and lithography and is done on metal lithographic plates. The result is an image with the line quality of a drypoint and the richness of value akin to a mezzotint, and it can be consistently editioned.
While the basic method is straightforward, knowledge of hand lithography is required. After applying tinted gum Arabic to a metal lithographic plate, an image may be created by scratching through the coating. A mixture of alcohol and shellac is then buffed onto the plate. Finally, the image is prepared and rolled up using a leather roller. Drypoint lithography may be used exclusively to create an image, or it may be combined with other metal plate lithography techniques.
I will demonstrate the drypoint lithography process and will display several prints using this process. Handouts will also be available to explain the process and provide detailed instructions.
BILL HOSTERMAN is an Assistant Professor of Art at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, where he has taught printmaking, drawing and foundations since 1999. He has degrees in printmaking from The Pennsylvania State University and Indiana University. During the summer of 1993, Bill apprenticed at the K. Caraccio Printmaking Studio and Bob Blackburn's Printmaking Workshop, both in New York City. In 1995, Bill went to South Africa on a Fulbright scholarship to study printmaking. He spent a year in Johannesburg, working primarily at The Artists' Press, a lithographic printshop owned and operated by Tamarind Master Printer Mark Attwood, and which was featured at IMPACT 3 in Cape Town. During his time at The Artists’ Press, he editioned several fine art books, including one by a group of Bushman artists, and was introduced to a printmaking technique called drypoint lithography.Hosterman has also studied plate lithography at Tamarind Institute's summer workshop and non-toxic printmaking with Keith Howard in Canada. He has exhibited his work both regionally and nationally, and has recently completed two commissions. This summer he returned to the K. Caraccio Printmaking Studio for a three-week printmaking residency to prepare work for an upcoming exhibit in New York City.
ABOVE: examples of drypoint lithography