färglitografi

Färglitografi is a printmaking technique that utilizes the principle of oil and water repulsion to create colorful images. It is a variation of the traditional lithography process, which was invented by Alois Senefelder in the late 18th century. In color lithography, multiple stones or plates are used, with each one inked with a different color. The artist draws each color of the image onto a separate stone or plate using a greasy substance. These surfaces are then treated with a solution that makes the non-image areas receptive to water and repellent to ink, while the drawn image areas remain receptive to ink and repellent to water.

During the printing process, each stone or plate is dampened with water, and then a specific color of oil-based ink is rolled onto it. The ink adheres only to the greasy image areas. Paper is then pressed against each inked plate in succession, transferring each color layer to the paper. The careful alignment of each subsequent color impression, known as registration, is crucial for achieving a cohesive and accurate final image. The result is a lithograph with multiple colors, allowing for rich and nuanced visual effects. Famous artists who employed color lithography include Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Edgar Degas, who explored its expressive potential for posters, illustrations, and fine art prints.