Watercolor Intaglio
By Pamela Conway Caruso (Contact)
August 20, 2008
“Watercolor Intaglio” is a unique intaglio printmaking process I developed several years ago. It is environmentally friendly, clean-up requires only water, and suitable for plexiglas plate, often acquired from scraps at hardware/home improvement stores.
A drawing is placed beneath the plexiglas, allowing work directly from the drawing (already reversed) without need for image transfer.
I use engraving tools directly on the plate. (No chemicals, resins, hotplates, or wait time!)
Then I “color” the engraved lines and textures with water-soluble colored pencils.
An infinite variety of colors can be used, blended or layered.
Crumbs (shavings) of the colored pencils adhere to the smooth non-incised surfaces. These particles may be removed by simply tapping the plate on its edge. However, I find that I like the effect when printed. The result is a surprising “stipple”, reminiscent of the scientific illustrations that launched my professional art career.
Printmaking paper is dampened (by soaking then blotting), softening the fibers, making them receptive to the etching press which presses the softened paper into the engraved lines. Voila! The dry colors are dissolved and printed. (BONUS: a damp brush diffuses the stipples for hand-tint.)
I have yet to produce a body of work (or editions) with this technique, except for occasional, random sizes. The coloring part is time-consuming. And I hope to work larger.
Visit Pamela Conway Caruso's Website
View a more detailed desctiption of Pamerla's Watercolor Intaglio process on Daniel Smith's web site.
© 2008 Pamela Conway Caruso