Index

Printing engravings

The artists in Paul Signac’s circle during the Post-Impressionist era in Paris were searching for freedom and independence. They also wanted to make art accessible to all.
To this end, some turned to printmaking and experimented with various techniques such as lithography, linocutting, woodcutting and etching.
Have you ever tried any printing techniques?
Is there a picture you would like to draw a single time and give to several people? The face of a loved one, a holiday memory, your favourite animal?

Credit

Félix Vallotton, Mont-Blanc, 1892, woodcut, printed at 30 copies. Private collection

We invite you to experiment with an inexpensive printing technique that borrows from the principles of engraving. Instead of using metal, a burin and ink, we will use cardboard, a pin and dry pastels.

Here are the materials you will need: cardboard, dry pastels, charcoal or chalk (dark colours), several sheets of paper, an HB pencil, a large sewing needle, thumbtack or paperclip, tape, facial tissue.

Make your tool for etching the cardboard by taping a large sewing needle, thumbtack or paperclip to the end of a pencil.

Draw your picture on your sheet of paper. Then, using your tool, etch it into the cardboard.

Using the side of the dry pastel, charcoal or chalk, gently rub the surface of the cardboard making sure that the colour seeps into the grooves made by the pin. Darker colours will yield better results!

Delicately wipe the surface of your cardboard with tissue to remove the excess colour.

Place your cardboard on a sheet of paper with the image facing down. Rub and tap the entire back surface of the cardboard to transfer the image.

Lift the cardboard and uncover your creation. You can repeat the application of colour and printing steps as many times as you like. Don’t forget to include the title of your work at the bottom centre and your signature at the bottom right of the print.

Creative workshop

In preparation for your visit or to cap off, here is a creative workshop you can do as a family, in connection with the exhibition.

Learn more

Printing engravings

Creative workshop

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