Pronto Plates, originally used in off-set printing, have brought lithography into print shops not set up for stone lithography, which requires working with very heavy stones, special equipment, toxic materials and a unique litho press. Stone lithography has its place both in history and contemporary art, but it is not easily accessible as a process. Pronto plates, which resemble sheets of vellum, require very little - sponges, water, gum arabic, a little citric acid and a press and you're set to go. They can be cut into shapes, support photo-based imagery and can be altered between printings. I think of them as 'living drawings" - I often draw back into the pronto plate immediately after printing to enhance or alter the image. Any waterproof mark making material can be used to create your image including acrylic floor wax, crayons, Sharpies and ballpoint pens. They invite the lively painterly back and forth process.

In this workshop we will work with both oil based inks on the pronto plates, and Akua Inks, working to create layered images. The pronto plate can be printed over and over which supplies a repeatable matrix on which to base a series of monoprints. Working on a series allows you to explore an image in a thorough and exhaustive way.

Image shown is a prontoplate print by Sue Katz.