Ruth Barrett-Danes
The prints are a combination of the techniques of Collagraph, drypoint and card cuts. The plates are inked up using both intaglio and relief methods. With an intaglio print the ink is spread over the entire surface of the plate making sure the ink reaches all the recesses and incised areas. The ink then has to be gently removed using scrim and tissue paper. I then use a relief surface roll of ink to add a depth and richness to the print.
The printing paper is usually a 300gsm or 250gsm Somerset paper and has been dampened ready for use.
The paper is placed over the plate and using an etching press the print is taken under pressure through the rollers.
The print then has to be dried slowly between blotting paper and tissue and under heavy boards until completely dry. Only one print can be taken from the plate at a time so the inking process has to be repeated each time a print is taken. This can lead to variations and so each print that is produced is unique.
