The Lithographic process

1. A greasy lithographic pencil is applied to a thick slab of limestone, the surface of which has been polished or 'grained'.

2. The image is then fixed to the stone using a weak solution of nitric acid and gum arabic.

3. The image is washed out with turps.

4. A thin layer of bitumen is then applied to the surface of the stone to help replenish the greasy deposits of the image.

5. The stone is rinsed with water.

6. Then a greasy ink is rolled on. The ink adheres only to the image drawn with the pencil and is repelled by the water-soaked surrounds.

7. Paper is then placed over the inked surface and a metal or plastic sheet is lowered onto it.

8. With the aid of a specific press, a scraper is drawn across to transfer the image to the paper.

9. The final print

Courtesy of Sydney Gallery School at Meadowbank TAFE. Photos: Stuart Humphreys