In 1990 I developed a usable process by which common caulking silicone can be used to make waterless litho plates and have made the process available to any printer interested in learning more about it. It has been published in the international refereed journal Leonardo, as well as Printmaking Today and on various websites on the Internet. At one time I used to receive many e-mails from printmakers wanting more specific information on materials and techniques. After doing workshops and making presentations at international conferences, it seems that most printers wanting information have all they need. Today there are a number of printers giving workshops on my process and the demand for my services have greatly reduced. I have been keeping the paper up to date on the University of Saskatchewan website, but find that most other posting are out of date and should be refreshed. At the request of a printmaker in the UK, I have decided to put together a Distance Education class using the Internet and this website. Having worked as an audio-visual specialist within the Extension Division at the university for 27 years, I have some ideas that should make this an interesting project. The technology is good enough to attempt it and I am willing to try.

As I see it, I could put together simple projects for learning both the basic process and also more technical methods as the need arises. Questions from anyone participating in the event can be forwarded to me an all those reading the blog, and others can comment on their experience on the use of different materials. For countries outside of North America, common household materials could be quite different as I have found out from messages, so this issue alone would be of great help for starting printmakers.

This sample of what could be done with today technology should make it a good method to teach many interested lithographers in many countries. This proof was taken from a workshop I did to show what types of drawing materials can be used in waterless litho and the finished results. It was proofed on thin Japanese paper to be viewed from the backside so I didn’t have to write backwards. There are short video clips available or can be produced when it would make the concept easier to understand.

First I would like to know if their are any printmakers interested in this kind of venture. There is no cost to anyone as I just want more printers to understand the waterless process better. I would like a response from all those interested before I start the work. So contact me through the comments or by e-mail at either: niksemenoff@usask.ca or nik@ndiprintmaking.ca

Posted by Nik Semenoff on January 17th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
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