M.E.S. A Deep Dive into Black Etching Ink

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Here is an article from Melbourne Etching Supplies which may be of interest to members. M.E.S. are offering 20% off oil based etching inks until the 31st July.

The world of black inks, for printmakers, is a bit of a black hole. For some ink ranges, there are so many options it’s overwhelming. But what is the difference? Isn’t black just.. black?! We could write an essay (and maybe one day we will) but for the meantime, join us as we dive into the details of some of our most popular black etching inks at Melbourne Etching Supplies. 

Of course, these are just the thoughts of some of our printmakers at M.E.S and as such, should be considered a guideline only. We highly recommend testing different black inks to find out what will work best for you!
The Great Debate – Charbonnel 55981 vs 55985
Charbonnel are well-known manufacturers of printmaking inks. With an incredible array of colours and an extended range of black inks, they are favoured by printmakers for their high quality and consistency. Over the years at Melbourne Etching Supplies, debating the difference between the 55981 and the 55985 has been a frequent topic of conversation. So, with distinct differences to their formulations and characteristics, let’s have a look at the key components of both.
Charbonnel Black 55981 
Composition: Ivory Black and Carbon Black
Highly viscous, relatively easy to wipe off – soft, universal black. 

We would suggest that the Charbonnel 55981 is arguably the best ink for fine detail work, and areas where a smooth, even application is needed. It’s quick drying time makes it suitable for projects that require a faster turnaround, which could be considered an added bonus.

Charbonnel Black 55985 
Composition: Ivory black, Carbon Black and Prussian Blue
Very viscous, difficult to wipe off – slightly blueish and very deep.

The Charbonnel 55985 truly helps to reinforce other blacks. Our recommendation is that the Charbonnel 55985 is ideal for achieving deep, rich blacks with a velvety finish. It really is perfect for large solid areas (especially aquatint) and works well on various surfaces, providing a uniform and consistent print.Gamblin Etching Inks are designed for printmakers who need a strong line and a great sensitivity to detail. Each black is designed to meet specific needs in both depth of colour and printability.Gamblin acknowledge that not all black pigments are not perfectly neutral in colour. In a mass sense, i.e. in lines or heavy rollouts, the ‘temperature’ of the black is almost imperceptible, but each ink will leave a plate tone that is either warm or cool. These colour differences, while subtle, can affect the overall look and feel of a finished print – especially when paired with a toned paper.

Gamblin Etching Portland Black 
Neutral in colour, the Gamblin Portland Black is formulated for easy wiping, and offers a moderate level of plate tone ideal for creating subtle value shifts. This ink will print drypoint beautifully, whilst also being a go-to choice for those editioning, and for those working in schools that need an ink for general printing techniques.

Conveniently, there is also a cool tinted version, Gamblin Etching Portland Cool Black, available ‘pre-mixed’.

Gamblin Etching Bone Black
The Gamblin Etching Bone Black is a traditional black with a warm tone. It wipes easily and leaves a very light plate tone. The combination of the light plate tone and easy wiping makes it less suited to works that require a subtle value range and ideal for work that requires strong contrasts.

Gamblin Etching Carbon Black
The Gamblin Etching Carbon Black is a silvery, dense black with a heavy plate tone. It is one of the most difficult black inks to wipe but remains a favourite due to the strong, deep blacks it can produce. The Carbon Black tone has a delicate warmth to it. 

Cranfield Traditional Etching Inks have barely changed in generations. Their historic formulations provide high strength results in a range of colours for all types on intaglio printmaking – plus there is something charming about being milled in family run business in the welsh hills. 

Cranfield Traditional Etching Mid Black
A versatile‚ mid-toned Carbon Black (PBk7) ink with low viscosity & low tack. The Cranfield Mid Black works particularly well for line work. It has a soft feel and wipes evenly & easily to give a strong print. 

Cranfield Traditional Etching Aquatint Black
The Cranfield Traditional Etching Aquatint Black works particularly well for images with lots of tone i.e. aquatint. Although this initially ink feels stiffer than the Cranfield Traditional Etching Mid Black you will find this ink wipes quickly & evenly from your plate and gives bright‚ intense prints.

Cranfield Traditional Etching Bone Black 
A strong, warm-toned black made from genuine charred bone black pigment (PBr9) with a high viscosity & a high tack. The Cranfield Traditional Etching Bone Black works well for both line work & tonal work. It is quite a stiff ink. 

Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Award

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Anna Russell and Gary Shinfield have been selected as finalists for this award.

The finalists will exhibit their work from Fri 2 to Sun 25 August across the Northern Beaches at the following locations from Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm:

  • Manly Art Gallery & Museum, West Esplanade Reserve, Manly
  • Curl Curl Creative Space, 105 Abbott Road, North Curl Curl
  • Mona Vale Creative Space Gallery, Level 1, Civic Centre, 1 Park Street, Mona Vale
     

Exhibition Opening and Prizes Announced

Thu 1 August, 6 – 8pm

Manly Art Gallery & Museum 

Collective Action: CEAD panel discussion

Thu 15 August, 6 – 7:30pm

Manly Art Gallery & Museum 

You are invited to join MAG&M’s Collective for Environmental Art & Design (CEAD) at the first panel discussion of this new initiative. We’re bringing together industry-leading creative thinkers to discuss the power of collective action, and to learn what is possible when we work together to envision environmental solutions. Working at the intersection of art, design, and the environment, our panellists will discuss the ways in which they are working towards a sustainable future, the solutions they are exploring, and how you can be part of it. Through sharing the successes and learnings from their own experiences, the speakers invite us to be part of an ambitious and vital ongoing conversation. The speakers include; Dr Jenny Newell, Curator for Climate Change at the Australian Museum’s Climate Solutions Centre, Dr Lucas Ihlein, artist and Senior Lecturer in the School of Arts, English and Media, University of Wollongong, and member of the Kandos School of Cultural Adaptation (KSCA), and Floria Tosca, multi-disciplinary practitioner drawing on her experience growing up in a rural environment and her years working as a medical doctor, and a member of The Dirt Witches Scrub Collective.

The Paul Guest Drawing Prize @ Bendigo Gallery

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The Paul Guest Drawing Prize is an award and exhibition held biennially that highlights contemporary drawing practice in Australia. The Prize was initiated by former Family Court Judge and Olympic rower, The Honourable Paul Guest OAM QC and encourages artists from across Australia to engage with the important medium of drawing in contemporary art practice. The Prize is a non-acquisitive cash award of $18,000.

‘My abiding and passionate interest in art commenced several decades ago and from those early beginnings I was introduced to contemporary art in a holistic way which ran parallel to my professional career. I appreciate that the journey for artists is, at times, a demanding and tortuous one and I trust that in some small way I have and will continue to assist them to achieve their full potential,’ said the Honourable Paul M Guest, OAM QC

The entries for the 2024 edition are now open until Friday 23 August 2024. Click the button below to learn more and enter your artwork.

Entries are now open

Please visit our Terms and Conditions page for the full Paul Guest Drawing Prize 2024 entry requirements

2024 Key Dates

Entries close: 4pm, Friday 23 August 2024
Finalists announced: Friday 4 October 2024
Winner announcement: Friday 29 November 2024 at 7 pm
Finalist exhibition: 30 November 2024 – 27 April 2025

2024 Key Details

Paul Guest Drawing Prize 2024 Terms & Conditions
Entry fee is $45 per artist (regardless of one or two entries supplied). 
Open to all Australian artists over the age of 18 (citizens of Australia or residents for 12 months).
Non-acquisitive Prize
Prize money $18,000
Artists can submit a maximum of two works completed since 1 July 2023
Works must not exceed 2 metres in any direction including frame
Media: Bendigo Art Gallery has not stipulated what constitutes a drawing in the terms and conditions and hopes to see a range of approaches and interpretations of this medium in the prize.

If you have any questions about your entry please contact us using paulguestprize@bendigo.vic.gov.au

Enter the Paul Guest Drawing Prize

Less than a month left to apply to join Sydney Printmakers – Members callout

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Don’t miss out, get your application in before August 1st!

Sydney Printmakers, a prestigious association capped at 60 members, is dedicated to the professional development of its members and the promotion and education of printmaking. Our primary focus is securing exhibition opportunities and organizing member exhibitions.

Expectations and Application Requirements:

  • Active Engagement: Attend quarterly meetings and contribute to organizational tasks.
  • Deadline: August 1, 2024.
  • Submission Materials:
  • 200 words on your interest in joining.
  • 200 words describing your work and professional practice.
  • 200 words on your potential contributions.
  • CV (up to two pages).
  • Five low-resolution images (max 1 MB each).
  • Website and Instagram details.

How to Apply:

Submit your application via the Sydney Printmakers Membership Application.

By joining Sydney Printmakers, you will be part of a dynamic, self-funded, and self-directed association where your engagement and contributions are vital to our collective success. We look forward to your application and the unique skills you will bring to our vibrant community.

Origin at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery

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Ann Bewah Wu, Looking Inward and Back, relief linocut with chine colle,2022

HAWKESBURY REGIONAL GALLERY and SYDNEY PRINTMAKERS invite you to the Opening of

ORIGIN: THE PLACE WHERE SOMETHING BEGINS

Opening 6-8pm Friday 28 June, continuing till Sunday 18 August 2024

Official opening: 6.45PM, with Clr Barry Calvert, Deputy Mayor, Hawkesbury City Council

and Michelle Perry, Director, Michelle Perry Fine Arts

ORIGIN PROGRAMS:

The Printshop Maker Space – drop in making space with activities for all ages, during gallery hours. Artists in Conversation, Sunday 28th July, 1 – 3pm. Workshop Exploring Printmaking I Making a Lino Print, Saturday 3 August, 11am – 2pm. For more information, and to make a booking: hawkesburygallery.eventbrite.com

HAWKESBURY REGIONAL GALLERY

300 George Street, WINDSOR 2756

(02) 4560 4441 gallery@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

Weekdays: 10am-4pm & Weekends: 10am-3pm

Closed Tuesdays & public holidays

Hornsby Art Prize 2024

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Established in 2009, the Hornsby Art Prize is organised and sponsored by Hornsby Shire Council and delivered in partnership with the Hornsby Art Society. This year, the art prize has an overall prize pool value of $23,000, with the major prize $10,000. Categories include Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Digital Art Stills/Digital Photography and Sculpture. The non-acquisitive prize celebrates Australian Contemporary Art and is open to all Australian residents aged 18 years and over. It also celebrates Hornsby Shire residents with the Hornsby Shire Local Artist Award with a prize of $5,000. The Hornsby Art Prize Finalists’ Exhibition will be held at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby, 25 October – 10 November 2024, Tuesday – Sunday, 10am-4pm. Free entry.

KEY DATES

Call for entries open 3 June 2024

 Entries close 8 August 2024 

Artworks drop off Tuesday 15 October and Wednesday 16 October, 10am – 4pm

Award ceremony 25 October 2024 

Exhibition 25 October – 10 November 2024

Required for your online entry:

  • A digital image of your artwork
  • An artist statement – maximum 150 words
  • Entry fee: $40 per entry
  • Limit two (2) entries per person

Please note that there are size and weight limits for artworks.
Weight limit: 15kg
Size limit: The maximum size for 2D artworks is limited to 120cm in any one direction (painting, drawing, printmaking, and digital art stills/digital photography). The maximum size of 3D artworks is limited to 85cm in any one direction (sculpture).

ENTER NOW