The Last Layer: New methods in digital printing for photography, fine art, and mixed media

The Last Layer: New methods in digital printing for photography, fine art, and mixed media

Released March 2013
Publisher(s): New Riders
ISBN: 9780133372991

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Book description

In The Last Layer–the follow-up to Digital Alchemy, her successful book on alternative printmaking techniques–Bonny Lhotka teaches how to make prints that take their inspiration from early printmaking processes. In this book, Lhotka shows readers step-by-step how to create modern-day versions of anthotypes, cyanotypes, tintypes, and daguerreotypes as well as platinum and carbon prints. She also reinvents the photogravure and Polaroid transfer processes and explores and explains groundbreaking techniques for combining digital images with traditional monotype, collograph, and etching press prints. By applying these classic techniques to modern images, readers will be able to recreate the look of historical printmaking techniques and explore the limits of their creative voice. Best of all, the only equipment required is a desktop inkjet printer that uses pigment inks, and a handful of readily available materials and supplies–not the toxic chemicals once required to perform these very same processes.
 
Leveraging her training as a traditional painter and printmaker, Bonny Lhotka brings new innovations and inventions that combine the best of centuries of printmaking technique with modern technology to create unique works of art and photography. After years of experimentation and development, these new processes allow alternative photographers, traditional printer makers, and 21st century digital artists to express their creative voice in ways never before possible. 

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Dedication Page
  4. About the Author
  5. Artist Statement
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. Table of Contents
  8. Preface
    1. Alchemy of Printmaking
  9. Foreword
    1. A Layered Path
  10. Section I: Basics
    1. 1. Introduction
      1. Who Is This Book For?
      2. Navigating Through This Book
      3. Final Word
    2. 2. Materials
      1. Image Permanence
      2. Substrates
      3. Precoats
      4. Transfer Mediums
      5. Other Materials
    3. 3. Equipment
      1. Backups
      2. Printers and Ink
      3. Computers and Software
      4. Other Equipment
      5. Safety Equipment: Safety is Your Responsibility
    4. 4. Finding a Voice
      1. Be Prepared
      2. Practice
      3. Salvaging Photographs
      4. Body of Work
      5. Conclusion
  11. Section II: Aged Aluminum Plates
    1. 5. Introduction to Aged Plates
      1. Preparing the Plates
      2. Stacking the Plates
      3. Cooking the Plates
      4. Combining the Preparing, Stacking, and Cooking Methods
      5. Conclusion
    2. 6. Vintage Tintypes Transfer
      1. About the Transfer to Aged Plates Process
      2. Creative Options
      3. Conclusion
    3. 7. Direct Imaging to Aged Plates
      1. About Direct Imaging to Aged Plates
      2. Variation: White Crackle Plate
      3. Conclusion
    4. 8. Gallery of Work: Aged Plates
  12. Section III: Transformed by Light
    1. 9. Introduction to Photosensitive Processes
      1. Overview
      2. Light
      3. Digital Negative or Positive
      4. Negatives for Silver Halide
      5. Conclusion
    2. 10. Photopolymer Plate Process
      1. About the Solarplate Process
      2. Conclusion
    3. 11. Chlorophyll Emulsion Process
      1. About the Chlorophyll Emulsion Process
      2. Conclusion
    4. 12. Flow Blue Fabric Process
      1. About the Inkodye Process
      2. Conclusion
    5. 13. Gallery of Work: Transformed by Light
  13. Section IV: Creative Substrates
    1. 14. Introduction to Creative Substrates
      1. Layering
      2. Flexible Substrates
      3. Mica Pigments
      4. Conclusion
    2. 15. Transfers to Flexible Substrates
      1. About Transfer to Foil
      2. About Transfer to Silk
      3. Conclusion
    3. 16. Mixed Media Layered Transfers
      1. About the Mixed Media Layered Transfer
      2. Variation: Birch Box Mixed Media
      3. Conclusion
    4. 17. Stone Paper Monoprints
      1. About the Stone Paper Monoprint Edition
      2. Conclusion
    5. 18. Pearloid Transfer to Glass
      1. About the Pearloid Transfer Process
      2. Conclusion
    6. 19. Gallery of Work: Creative Substrates
  14. Section V: Finishing up and New Work
    1. 20. Postcoats and Finishing
      1. Postcoats
      2. Mounting and Installation
      3. Conclusion
    2. 21. Gallery of Work: New Techniques
  15. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Last Layer: New methods in digital printing for photography, fine art, and mixed media
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: March 2013
  • Publisher(s): New Riders
  • ISBN: 9780133372991