I just came back from a great 5 day workshop with Keith Howard where we learned many Intaglio-Type (non-toxic printmaking) methods which he has painstakingly developed over the years. The intense workshop took place at Don Messec’s studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Don practices non-toxic printmaking to the T! Making art safely is not only his mantra, but also is the title of a series of workshops on digital photography and printmaking.
I was very interested in learning some new photo printmaking techniques for my monoprints, and wanted a printing plate that was cheaper to use than the solarplates that I’ve been using. Behold, I not only learned photo techniques, but tons of other dynamic ways to creat imagery on the ImagOn film which we adhered to PEGT plexi plates. I was also pleased to find out that I could easily cut these plates into shapes, which I already do with my solarplates. Keith Howard uses Akua inks, which are water based inks. They’re less toxic, dry quickly, and clean up easily without solvents!
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