Silk aquatint offers the richness of mezzotint, the spontaneity of action painting, the sheer washes of a water color, the vivacious surface of a palette knife impasto and the durability of a steel-faced etching plate ALL WITHOUT ACID. This collagraphic plate-making method is created with acrylic paint: painting white on to a black field, similar to developing a mezzotint image. The resulting plates are intaglio printed through an etching press with oil-based or water-based ink and can last for over one hundred impressions.

Pull up a chair; let’s make a print the “back to nature” way with water based color on wood, by hand. Kathy’s workshop will encompass a show of both traditional, antique and contemporary prints and an explanation of her blending of Western and Eastern techniques and concepts. Participants will be guided step by step through the production of a small four color edition. Kathy will demonstrate tool sharpening, carving wood, paper and brush preparation, “kento” registration, use of the baren as a printing tool and special effects such as “bokashi” (gradation), “gomma zuri” (sesame seed pattern), and “baren sugi” . This will be a special opportunity to learn how to produce a luminous multi-color edition at home as well as an introduction to luster, metallic and transparency in prints.