Show Notes: s3e101 with Stephen Hoskins
Most printmakers think of ink as a means to an end—the sticky, colorful substance that moves an image from plate to paper. But to Professor Stephen Hoskins, ink is a complex chemical landscape, a historical artifact, and a cutting-edge frontier of technology.
In our latest episode of Platemark, we sit down with the man who literally wrote the book on the subject. Stephen Hoskins joins us to discuss his groundbreaking new research into the history and science of printmaking inks, taking us on a journey from the soot-heavy blacks of the Old Masters to the revolutionary potential of water-based systems and 3D-printed textures.
Why should you tune in?
- The "Secret Sauce": Discover why the transition from traditional oil-based inks to modern alternatives isn't just a matter of convenience—it’s a shift in the very chemistry of how light interacts with the page.
- From Gutenberg to Gadgets: Stephen traces the evolution of ink as a technology, revealing how the materials we use today are inextricably linked to centuries of industrial innovation and artistic experimentation.
- Sustainability & the Studio: We tackle the hard questions about the environmental impact of traditional solvents and what the future holds for the "non-toxic" movement in professional print shops.
- The Tactile Future: As the author of 3D Printing for Artists, Designers and Craftsmen, Stephen shares his unique perspective on how physical ink is adapting to a digital world.
Whether you are a seasoned master printer looking to troubleshoot your viscosity or a curious collector wondering why certain prints retain their "glow" for centuries, this conversation is a masterclass in the foundational element of our craft.
Stephen Hoskins’s website: https://stephenhoskins.com/
University of the West of England: https://cfpr.uwe.ac.uk/
CFPR Editions: https://cfpreditions.uwe.ac.uk/
Top 10 Printing Museums in Europe: https://cfpr.uwe.ac.uk/cfpr-seminar-european-printing-museums-a-personal-top-ten-prof-stephen-hoskins-26-may-2020/
Stephen Hoskins (English, born 1955). Belgian Wings. Screenprint on laser-cut balsa wood. 1.2 meters x 95 cm x 10 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.
Stephen Hoskins (English, born 1955). Lilienthal Feathers. Screenprint on plywood and balsa wood and inkjet on Japanese paper. Courtesy of the Artist.
Stephen Hoskins (English, born 1955). Left and Right Wing. Screenprint. Each: 53 x 76 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.
Stephen Hoskins (English, born 1955). French Peacock. Screenprint. 37 x 25 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.
Stephen Hoskins (English, born 1955). Gull wings. Screenprint on laser-cut balsa wood. 2.2 meters x 95 cm x 40 cm. Courtesy of the Artist.
Curator / Podcaster / Blogger / Cyclist
Ann Shafer is an independent curator, art historian, writer, and a leading expert on intaglio printmaking by Stanley William Hayter and Atelier 17. Formerly Shafer was associate curator of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs at the Baltimore Museum of Art. She has also held positions at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the National Gallery of Art. Shafer has a BA from The College of Wooster and an MA from Williams College. (Photo credit: Becky Redett)
Show Notes: S3E99 with Mark Johnson
