It all starts by graining the Bavarian limestone with carbarundum grit using a steel disc (levigator). It takes two passes of each grade of grit and a bit of spare time.

After putting a protective square of gum arabic around the edge I have rubbed lithotine in the centre. This is now ready to be cleaned up with water and greasy ink rolled on in preparation for a maniere noir where you scratch the ink off to reveal the stone.

But not so easy, after rolling the ink you need to cover the whole stone in gum arabic and buff off the surface layer with cheesecloth.

Finally a prepared stone ready for scratching.

Here a razor blade is used to scratch off ink. You have the benefit of seeing the image in positive, although as it will be printed it will still reverse horizontally so you need to think about any text you might want to scratch.

To prepare the stone for printing you actually dissolve the ink with paint thinner, apply another coat of lithotine and then wash the stone with water. The ink will stick to the parts of the stone which were exposed to the lithotine.

Rolling up the ink is a bit of an art. You roll the stone 2 or three times before each print.

You need to wet sponge dry sponge between each roll up and each print.

Some finished prints. Very old school printing, replaced by aluminium plates in the offsett printing technique still commonly used today.

Thanks to Charlie and everyone who looked after me in the studio!

Cheers
  Dave