Manual Digital—Made with Digits of the Hand (Fingers)
Special Hand-Worked Artist's Edition
Archival giclée on 140 lb watercolour paper. Size (approximately): 16” x 31” / 41 x 79 cm
Exact dimensions may vary slightly as each print is hand-trimmed individually.
Edition limited to 60 prints.
Innovative Technique
I print these on hand-painted paper with sgraffito etched into thickly painted gesso (see details below). I then hand-coat the stretched sheet and drop flecks of gold and aluminium leaf onto it (silver leaf tarnishes—aluminium is preferable). After printing over this, I paint subtle brushstrokes into black for delicate texture. The edges are carefully hand-torn for a softer, handmade appearance. Each print features a stamped impression of a Japanese seal and my fingerprint. In addition, I sign and number them to complete each unique original print.
Creative Concept
Text (the artist's words): Manual Digital—made with digits of the hand, i.e., fingers. The work plays on the original meaning of the word digital, as pertaining to the fingers. In this sense, all handwritten calligraphy is digital—manual digital, that is. Each print features an original fingerprint of the artist (his digital ID) in addition to his signature. The positioning of these hand impressions may differ slightly from those illustrated.
The framing of this work should not allow the art surface to touch the picture glazing. I generally use a slip of balsa wood hidden under the lip of the frame for this purpose. A good fine-art framer can advise you better than a general picture framer of posters.
LONG-LASTING ARCHIVAL MEDIA
Printed from an Epson SC P800 using Epson’s 9-color UltraChrome ink system at 2880 dpi on painted Bockingford 140 lb acid-free watercolour paper, with custom coatings added by the artist.
The detail above better shows hand-painting and sgraffito that was scratched into the wet gesso before printing. The image below was photographed backlit for an exaggerated view. In normal light, these details are clear enough when viewing an original.
