Kitchen Lithography Ink Comparison

Today I'm back with kitchen lithography experiment time and I'm testing out how different inks and consistencies of ink can affect the outcome of the print.
The specific inks used are:
1. A mix of Graphic Chemical Senefelders Crayon Black and Swallow Litho Black
2. The above mix plus Setswell Compound
3. Graphic Chemical Senefelders Crayon Black
4. Cranfiled Caligo Safe Wash in black
5. Gamblin Relief Ink in prussian blue
6. A very old can of Charbonnel Etching Ink in black
Let me know in the comments what experiment you want to see next!
If you want to learn more of my secrets to getting great prints, sign up for one of my workshops:
www.valeriesyposz.com/classes

[@theohalara]

Great video very useful. I'm glad I saw it before experimenting myself with kitchen lithography

[@artshaman]

Very informative video! Thank you for taking the time to test these.

[@valeriesyposz]

Thanks!😊

[@JoseCruz-ds6ko]

My favorite KZbin printmaker! i enjoyed your litho stone demonstrations.

[@valeriesyposz]

Thank you, Jose! I’m working on graining the stones for new prints😊

[@LittleInkyPrints]

Thanks for getting back to me Valerie, it is the line work that I was referring to, they thicken up and start to get blobby/less defined. I don’t usually have issue with blank areas filling up. If the ink is too loose I have been adding a bit of Mag Carbonate powder, to tighten it a bit. I am not sure if that’s the best (solution) way to fix it. I’ll try 6B graphite pencil next!

[@valeriesyposz]

Having a stiffer ink for defined lines and crisp details is the right idea. Mag carb is a good choice, but adding too much will reduce tack, which is also important. I learnt to use mag carb + body gum to stiffen and keep tack, but if you're using in small quantities, just mag carb should be fine. For black inks, I always make a mix of stiffer and looser ink to work with. Colour inks, I either add mag carb tint base to stiffen or Setswell compound to loosen. Temperature can have a big effect on the ink, so in addition to modifying, perhaps an ice cube in the water bowl might help. And avoiding printing if it's too hot in your studio. I even had to take a break for the summer and it doesn't get that hot here. And then sometimes, a quick reapplication of cola, washing off with water and back to sponging and inking will do the trick.

[@LittleInkyPrints]

Thanks, that’s kind of what I have been trying, although I can’t get any type of Graphic Chemical or litho stiffener mix here unfortunately 😢😢

[@valeriesyposz]

Ugh… that’s a tough one. I’m not sure if there’s any substitute for tack increaser. I’ll let you know if I find anything out.

[@LittleInkyPrints]

Yes tres annoying ……

[@LittleInkyPrints]

Great video Valerie, I did your 1st workshop ages ago now…. Wondering about the coke etch time variation. If you are using say biro pen, felt pen and 2B pencil . Do you use a longer etch if not as greasy, or a shorter etch time? I sometimes find that the ink (Caligo litho ink) starts to fill in the area or line work.. not sure why it happens some times and not others. Tia

[@valeriesyposz]

Hi Rowena! For those less greasy materials, you would want as short an etch as possible. Foils are all different, but for many, 2B will not be enough- 6B plus might be a better choice. As for filling in, do you mean the non drawn areas? Or the drawn areas are picking up too much ink?

[@Marinventures]

What did you add there to separate the images?

[@valeriesyposz]

A mix of cola and gum arabic

[@a.k.6511]

Do you have experience using litho ink to draw on foil? In some videos I saw foil being sanded, does that make sense? Which foil do you prefer? Thanks for the video.

[@valeriesyposz]

@@a.k.6511 I use litho ink to “draw” when I want a flat, solid area. I don’t sand my foil at all, but I might use a grained substrate for texture. And it’s only in the US, but my favourite foil is Nature’s Promise heavy duty recycled foil.

[@a.k.6511]

@@valeriesyposz Thanks😌

[@melo39987]

I made several failed attempts at this based on other youtube videos, but I noticed you “etched” with cola really quickly and unlike many videos your approach is not using oil to erase the image and you go straight to inking. Is this why I am unable to get a clear print? The entire surface seems to attract the ink. What am I doing wrong? I'm using an etching black gamblin ink.

[@valeriesyposz]

Etch time really depends on the materials used and intensity of drawing. Oil is also something that can be omitted in certain cases, also depending on drawing material and colour of printing ink. I'm not familiar with the Gamblin etching ink, but I know the Gamblin litho ink sticks a bit to the non-drawn areas and improves with addition of modifiers (or a drop of oil). I would try that first, and then next, a different brand of foil.

[@dannykessler2952]

Ah!! My first time trying and it was a mess. And though I'm not fluent in french, my charbonel entre taille douce etching ink does say "douce" Right stuff or wrong stuff? thanks

[@valeriesyposz]

@@dannykessler2952 First, make sure it’s not the new kind of charbonnel that is water washable. They have 2 taille douce (etching) inks, one traditional and one easy wash. Also, my ink in the video is so old that it is not the same consistency as a new can. I think a little of people get better results with the new ink by adding a drop of oil (or other modifier) before rolling.

[@dannykessler2952]

@@valeriesyposz Ok I got some better ink I think The Gamblin Portland. But still no sucess. I'm beginning to think it may be the crayons. I'm using WM Korn Lithograhy crayons. What else could I try? Thanks

[@valeriesyposz]

@@dannykessler2952 There’s a few reasons things can go awry. I use Korn’s #5 a lot, but when you get to the greasier options, they can fill in, or even spread during a cola eych. Another very common problem is simply the brand of foil. Some work great, others pick up ink around the background no matter what.

[@dannykessler2952]

@@valeriesyposz thanks. I switched to an oil pastel.

[@dannykessler2952]

I wish I could send you photos

[@pheenix42]

I still think this is alchemy.

[@valeriesyposz]

😂