Image Gallery: The Lithographic process

Lithography is the original form of planographic, or surface printing, and offered a new freedom to the artist or printer. The illustration could be drawn directly onto a highly polished chalky limestone block with special crayon pens. Drawing onto the stone was almost as natural an action as drawing onto paper.This photo gallery shows the lithographic process as it would have be used in the time of John Gould. Demonstrating the technique is Rew Hanks, Australian contemporary artist and printmaking teacher. Courtesy of Sydney Gallery School at Meadowbank TAFE. Photos: Stuart Humphreys.

Lithography Process - lithographic pencil applied Lithography Process - lithographic pencil applied
Lithography Process - washed out with turps Lithography Process - washed out with turps
Lithography Process - bitumen applied to surface Lithography Process - bitumen applied to surface
Lithography Process - a layer of bitumen Lithography Process - a layer of bitumen
Lithography Process - greasy ink rolled on Lithography Process - greasy ink rolled on
Lithography Process - paper over inked surface Lithography Process - paper over inked surface
Lithography Process - print press Lithography Process - print press
Lithography Process - the final print Lithography Process - the final print
Lithography Process - the final print 2 Lithography Process - the final print 2
Lithography Process - end result Lithography Process - end result