Customer Reviews

Non-Toxic Intaglio Printmaking

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Keith Howard presents many innovative alternatives to the highly toxic procedures that always associated with printmaking studios. He has literally changed the way printmakers print. This book is well-researched guide outlining the use of ferric chloride as a substitute for highly toxic nitric acid. He also includes many practical non-toxic etching techniques, such as floorwax as a ground and soda ash as a solvent as well several photo-etching techniques. Speaking from studio experience, these techniques match and sometimes surpass traditional techniques. Artists everywhere are indebted to Keith Howard for a life changing book.

While I have not seen this book, I have viewed Keith Howard's very detailed companion DVD called "Using DuPont's 'NEW' ImagON ULTRA Photopolymer Film" for toxic-free gravure process which is not listed on Amazon but can be purchased through Daniel Smith Artist's Materials. ImageOn is a photopolymer film a printmaker such as Howard must apply evenly to a copper intaglio plate before exposure to the light and image transparency. Howard's process using ImagOn film is not exactly like Dan Welden's use of "solarplate" although both can be used in conjunction with aquatint screens to produce wonderful gravure prints. Welden's process is much easier and less time consuming owing to the fact that he uses "solar plates". These are steel plates that already have a coat of light sensitive polymer or emulsion on one side. See Welden's "Printmaking in the Sun" before purchasing Howard's book or DVD.