Making a Landscape Screenprint using Lascaux Tusches

John McGowan Printmaker shows how he makes his screen prints using photo emulsion and Lascaux Tusches to draw and paint his images.
John has been printmaking for 50 years and has taught printmaking for forty of them. His work is in the collection of The Museum of London and Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, as well as many private collections all over the world.
Using a system described in "Screeenprinting, the complete water-based system" by Adam and Robertson, he shows the different techniques of drawing and painting onto acetate sheets that he uses to create a 9 colour fine-art print.
The video shows him working in his print studio and garage. It's not high-tech and there are many pointers for those who wish to set up a home based screen printing facility. The majority of John's equipment is home made including the vacuum table and light boxes.
See more of john's work at www.johnmcgowanprintmaker.co.uk
Facebook: johnmcgowanprintmaker

[@johnreskusich2324]

Great Video. Thank you for sharing your techniques and your work. Very inspiring.

[@gerardodalchielelueiro6897]

Hi John I am a photogrpher to and I mase as You screenprinting from photographies. Your work is very very good!!!! Receive my congratulations from ARGENTINA

[@johnmcgowanprintmaker]

Gerardo Dalchiele Lueiro thank you Gerardo. This particular print was made by hand. Each of the colours drawn and painted.

[@johnmcgowanprintmaker]

Not on the corrugated side Wim. Anyway your work should cause some ripples!

[@WimGrundy]

Going to try printing on corrugated cardboard!

[@neilgroom255]

Hi John, I loved the video and your clever approaches to screen printing. I was wondering if you had any tips on making your own vacuum table and where did you get your heavy duty hinge clamps from?

[@johnmcgowanprintmaker]

Hello Neil, sorry its taken a time to reply, I've been making some new Lascaux films. Making a vacuum table: its a shallow box with a laminate top and 3000 holes drilled with a 1.5 or 2mm bit. Hole in the bottom of box big enough to put the vacuum cleaner nozzle into it. I found an old school teacher's desk ( being an old school teacher) took the top off and put my vacuum box in its place. Very low tech! The clamps were made by PotterVac a very long time ago. I don't think they are in business now. The springs are good as they mean you don't have to have a leg at the side, but that would do the job if you can't get sprung clamps.

[@johnmcgowanprintmaker]

Very clear, interesting explanation of the use of tusches in screen printing. You obviously bring years of experience into the creation of this video.

[@johnmcgowanprintmaker]

Thank you, I wanted it to be detailed enough to assist others in trying out the media.

[@juljos9343]

Can you tell me a bit about the plastic sheets you paint on, what is it and where do you get it from?

[@johnmcgowanprintmaker]

I’ll get back to you soon. My supply was bought some years ago and I’m not certain they are still trading.

[@johnmcgowanprintmaker]

Staufen Gloss Clear PVC RW PR107 1B 2020 GLS/GLS 0015. Size 210 x 297 mic 220. Bought from Robert Horne Group. Hope that’s enough info. John

[@juljos9343]

Thanks very much that's very helpful. Great video by the way. Liked watching it very much.

[@oldmonk4996]

how many screens did you used in this project..?

[@johnmcgowanprintmaker]

Old Monk I used 4 grey tones and five colours. Only 1 green was used, I created variety through overprinting the greys and adding the blues and yellows. All printed with Lascaux screen paste and Matt medium. The hues are created by adding acrylic paint to that mix. Thanks for your interest. John