Creating an Image of a Figure

In a previous post,* I mentioned that I would explain how figures rendered on a light box are made into prints. Here’s a description of the process which begins on a portable device with light bulbs and a glass surface on which to draw: 

I first adhere a a piece of clear film (such as polyester) onto the glass surface with a light spray of water to hold it in place. Using a brayer, I then apply a thin layer of ink which will partically block the light. In what is referred to as a “subtractive method”, I selectively remove ink to reveal the model’s contours. Depending on the tool I’ve chosen, more or less ink may be removed, providing textures in various shades of gray. With each swipe of a sponge, for example, light comes through in varying intensity proportional to the applied pressure. The figure-in-progress is thus rendered bit by bit.

Lines, or other spaces where ink is completely removed, provide the most dramatic elements and are easily attained by drawing through the ink with a sharp pointed tool. The stark contrast of black background against white line, further enhanced by textural grays, produces a full range of values.

Once the drawing is complete, the inked image on the film is printed by placing dampened print paper directly over the film and passing the “sandwich” (film + paper) through a hand-cranked press. Even pressure of the roller forces the ink from the film onto the paper, producing a faithful, albeit mirror, image of the original drawing.

* January 9, 2022