Akua Intaglio Water-Base Modifiers

Akua Intaglio Ink Modifier Mag Mix
is designed to enhance Akua Intaglio inks by adding depth and increasing ink stiffness. This modifier allows artists to achieve a variety of textures and finishes in their printmaking projects.

Intaglio Release Agent is designed to create monotype ghost prints and provides a high-shine finish when used with metallic Akua Intaglio Inks. It is also effective for producing monotype prints with Akua Liquid Pigment, enhancing the overall quality and vibrancy of the artwork.

Artists using Akua Intaglio inks benefit from a transparent base that enhances the colour transparency achieved through layering techniques in their prints. This feature makes Akua Intaglio inks a versatile choice, appropriate for both intaglio and relief printing methods.

Akua Carborundum Gel is a highly versatile
platemaking medium that excels in producing prints with exceptional sharpness and fine detail. Its textured surface creates rich, velvety colour areas, making it particularly compatible with Akua Intaglio Inks, printmaking plates, and wiping fabric. This gel is an essential tool for any printmaker, specifically designed for collagraph printmaking plates.

As a ready-to-use medium, Akua Carborundum Gel yields sharp, detailed results with a unique textured surface that helps develop rich colour zones. Collagraph prints are created by applying abrasive grit, known as Carborundum, mixed with an acrylic medium or glue directly onto
the plate. This application forms distinct textures or lines that can be inked in intaglio or relief techniques. Once dried, these plates can be printed using an etching press, allowing multiple copies to be produced.

Printmakers have used Carborundum techniques for decades, and Akua's formulation ensures consistent, reliable results, producing vivid, strong prints each time. There are various methods for using the gel:

1. Light Field: In this method, Carborundum
Gel is applied additively and can be brushed, rolled, or squeegeed onto the plate. The gel's consistency can be adjusted with water for different effects.

2. Dark Field: This approach involves covering the entire plate with gel via silk screening and then selectively removing portions with tools before printing.

3. Stencil Methods: For this technique, the
gel is squeegeed through a stencil onto the plate.

The gel remains workable for approximately 30
minutes after application and can be manipulated longer with tools. Cleanup is
straightforward—dampen a soft cloth with soap and water to gently wipe the surface. While the plates are durable, their surfaces are delicate and should not be scrubbed.