This website is dedicated to printmaking in general and mezzotint technique in particular.
It records the experiences and expertise in mezzotint by an artist painter and printmaker Marina Kim. You can find here:
- Marina’s articles on most exciting artists-printmakers and links to their websites.
- Mezzotint events and generally printmaking events
- Marina’s Fine Art Printmaking Course Online - a series of short lessons on printmaking
- Link to Marina’s Online gallery selling original prints and paintings
- Marina’s posts on her printmaking artwork
About Marina Kim – Visual Artist And Entrepreneur.
Marina Kim is an artist with wide range of styles and media in her repertoire. She belongs to the cohort of academically trained artists coming from the art institutions of the former Soviet Union.
The emphasis of the art education in former Soviet Union was on academic drawing and painting. Long hours in the studios, working with still lifes and life models, under the constant tuition by the art teachers were combined with compulsory lessons of perspective, anatomy, composition and art history. Also program would include introduction into various visual art media and techniques. This method ensured solid foundation of drawing and painting skills in the artists.
What was lacking in the Soviet art training is the conceptual creative thinking, and business side of being an artist. Luckily, Marina’s natural independent and entrepreneurial spirit guided her towards gaining that knowledge.
At the time of graduating from the Art College in Tashkent, Marina with a friend founded an independent art gallery, which was a real novelty at the time. After two years in business, she decided to move abroad. In the year 2000 Marina came to London with her artwork, looking for representation in art galleries.
In spite of immediate success, Marina however took an independent path. She started her own art gallery, now with her husband Tim Roche, whom she met in London. The couple moved to Rye, East Sussex and here they have been building successful family and business.
During the last 10 years, Marina and Tim were busy bringing up two children, running an art gallery and providing bespoke framing services. Meanwhile, Marina was producing paintings, original prints and drawings, and establishing herself as the top quality portrait painter in the area.
All this time, she was taking in a diverse scene of visual arts in Britain. It was a steep learning curve for an artist coming from a background of almost military academic art training with heavy Social realism ideology. Another area in which Marina and Tim were educating themselves – managing a business in a very competitive industry.
In 2012, Roche gallery is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In spite of challenging economic situation in which the business was developing, Roche gallery is a well established fine art gallery and framing business. This year, the owners are focused on growing the Internet presence and sales, while the High Street premises are to undergo a big make-up. With the new look, Roche gallery will extend its exhibition space and have more events throughout a year.
Lovely – indeed, beautiful work! I’m impressed by your artistic ability!
I have in mind a similar project for mother and child which I still haven’t started.
I have the composition at hand in the form of a photo taken of my wife and baby son from several years ago.
One thing that’s held me back is the problem of mezzotint depth as you mentioned.
I created my own plate for the self-portrait on my website but it is much inferior to your work!
I guess I’ll have to buy pre-rocked as you have – or purchase a rocker for the job (not cheap)
I set up art-domain for people of all levels of artistic skills – to share their thoughts and ideas on intaglio printing.
Hopefully, I will have more work and videos uploaded, showing how I get on with my projects.
Dear Cliff,
Thank you for your comment! I visited your website – lots of potential there!
Is the portrait on the home page the self-portrait you mentioned? It does seem to be lucking in tone a bit. But judging by the photo, the reason might be in printing. Looks to me as if your paper was too stiff and dry. Did you soak it overnight? You could also try using a thicker consistency ink if the fault is not with paper. My two pennies worth
I just visited the portrait page itself and read your questions on what might have gone wrong. My suggestions:
a) The plate needs to be burnished yet further. Yes!
b) I’m not using the right ink for the job? I’m using INTAGLIO PRINTMAKER Shop Mix Drypoint Black! I have tried using it neat – and with added linseed oil for easier wiping. Charbonnel’s blacks are better.
c) Perhaps I’m not using the right paper? I’m using Hahnemuhle 300gsm etching white but perhaps someone with greater knowledge could suggest the best paper for mezzotint? This paper is the right paper. Also Magniani Lytho White is very good for mezzotint.
d) Or . . . it’s the right paper but perhaps not being dampened correctly? That would be my guess. Soak it at least overnight, better longer. Keep it wrapped in plastic sheet until using. Blot each sheet as you are ready to print.
e) Or maybe all of these combined with my limited skills which will improve the more I practice? Yes!
f) Finally . . . . with all the above being discounted . . . . that just leaves my precious etching press? However . . . I do feel pretty confident that the machine is working fine – the plate marks are perfect and well defined and I’m sure that it can provide sufficient pressure for any intaglio work! It does look as if the pressure wasn’t sufficient… You have to feel an effort turning the weel when the roll passes over the plate.