Serigraphy


Robin with sketch

Robin with "Bird After Bee" sketch


We are frequently asked, "What is the definition of serigraphy?" and "How is a serigraph made?" Serigraphy is a term for silkscreen printing, a graphic technique that has enjoyed a renaissance in the past century. The serigraphic process also implies that a particular silkscreen is part of a "Limited Edition" printing.

"Limited Edition" refers to the fact that there are only a certain amount, or "limited" number of serigraphs printed of a specific piece of artwork.  For example, Basket of Roses is a limited edition of 250 prints. This means that we have only 250 pieces available, numbered 1/250 to 250/250. As our guarantee, each print that we sell comes with it's own certificate of authenticity. 

 
Original Basket of Roses Lithograph

Original "Basket of Roses" lithograph




Robin and I were initially attracted to Basket of Roses by its' sense of intimacy and warmth.  We decided that our approach to this serigraph should be dictated by an effort to emphasize these qualities, particularly in our use of color and drawing.

In the original lithograph that we referred to, the background color was a dirty greenish grey.  To start our serigraph, we printed a solid rectangle using a clean yellow ochre.  This set the tone for the colors used throughout the entire print.  Each subsequent ink that we printed had at least a slight degree of transparency, helping us to make every color used warm and "earthy". Basket of Roses ended up with 35 different colors printed on it.

Ink Shelves

Our Ink Shelves



Detail of raw umber glaze

This is a detail of a plate used 
for a transparent raw umber glaze

 

Detail of warm red glaze

This is a detail of a plate used 
for a transparent warm red glaze

 

Platework is by far the most important element in creating a serigraph.  Other facets of the process are a craft that may be honed; having the ability to draw is a talent that either one has or doesn't have.  For each color printed in a serigraph, there has to be a plate made.  There are many ways of approaching this. We typically draw whatever we want to print on a clear sheet of mylar that has been specially treated to be receptive to a variety of different media, including brushwork, pen and ink, and airbrushing.  The common thread to the differing techniques that we use is that they are all done completely by hand and are used in order to achieve the distinct results we want with each color printed.

Printing Table

Our Printing Table

 
Silkscreen is a "positive" printing process, meaning that what is drawn on a plate is what will print.  We "push" the ink through the screen using a squeegie. Printing a limited edition serigraph is a lengthy process. The reason for this is that work is gradually done for the entire edition and not for a print at a time.  For Basket of Roses, since yellow ochre was the first color, we printed it on all the paper we used. Red was our second color, so we then printed that on all of our paper.  This was continued until we were finished with 35 colors, at which point we were very happy with the results, and decided that our Basket of Roses was done!


By exploring every creative option at our disposal, we've produced a serigraph of extraordinary beauty.  For Basket of Roses, as with every print we make, our focus has been upon creating an original work of art whose beauty is captivating, memorable, and of enduring value.

 

"Basket of Roses" serigraph



For more information, or to place an order, please contact us at our toll free number:

1-866-426-6700
 

 
Zianor Press,LLP. 
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