Nik Semenoff

Medal for a Fossil Hunter
Waterless Lithography and Photoplate: Toner Transfers and Digital Separations
19 Runs (18 Plates)
650mm x 450mm
2004

I became interested in lithography while working as a graphic artist at a commercial printing plant in the 1950s. The fact that the original process was done on a rock intrigued me and I was hoping someday to try the method.

In 1956 I was able to acquire a number of small lithography stones and I built a press to accommodate them. Whilst I had knowledge of processing commercial plates, I found little information for working on stone. With the little data I was able to gather, I was successful in producing 10 x 12 inch prints and I finally mastered the process. Proper ink for hand printing was not available locally, but I did discover Van Son Rubber Base Plus ink, and this proved to be perfect as it has no driers. It has since become the basis for making my process of Waterless Lithography workable and so successful.

In lithography I have found a perfect medium for my creative expression when drawing lines and graduated tints on plates. In 1985 I discovered the advantage of using toner instead of tusche as a means for producing a more reliable wash technique. In 2000 I found that common silicone caulking could replace water in printing editions.

Large format inkjet printers and positive plates have introduced computers into printmaking. These innovations have allowed me greater flexibility in producing interesting prints. While I still love painting, I find that there are many more exciting things can be done with lithography as a printmaking media.

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