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 starting with the light bulbs enclosed in a portable fixture covered with glass: 

I adhere a transparent drawing surface of film (such as polyester) onto the glass with a light spray of water to hold it in place. Using a brayer, I then apply a thin layer of ink which blocks the light. In what is referred to as a “subtractive method”, I selectively remove ink to reveal places where the spotlight highlights 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 revealed 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” through a hand-cranked press. Even pressure of the roller forces ink onto the paper, producing a faithful, albeit mirror, image of the original drawing.

* January 9, 2022