The Art of Polymers
and other Polymers and Safety
In the 90s water-based paint products were generally hailed as being THE safe alternative to the then dominant VOC and oil-based systems. Quite a few of the claims of improved safety have been borne out by facts, but the idea of 'intrinsic' safety of water based products and polymers is exaggerated, and may even be misleading. Some manufacturers make acrylic paint and printmaking products with impeccable ingredients, full MSDS documentation and certified lab testing, and have a perfect safety record - such products can be deemed 'nontoxic'. But there are many water-based products that may still carry significant toxicity. Especially cheaper products may contain powerful toxins such as glycol ether, plastic softeners (phthalates), formaldehyde, unreacted volatile monomers, or even traces amounts of benzene. Shockingly, some of the recent safety scares in paints and printing materials are connected to products that were actually marketed as being 'safe' and 'green'. Users are advised to familiarize themselves with safety facts and recommendations beyond manufacturer's claims and advertisements; even MSDS information may be misleading or incorrect.
The illustration shown above was made by etching a brass plate in Edinburgh Etch and printing with Akua inks on Hahnemuehle paper.
The variety of marks, washes and reticulations was created by using a combination of the following resists:
A Painterly Aesthetic
Over two decades ago Keith Howard started etching with waterbased products. Initially, this move was driven simply by a desire to avoid the toxic hazards of traditional intaglio printmaking. To the great excitement of artists, his explorations showed that acrylics could not only emulate the aesthetic created by conventional etching methods - with ease - but could even extend creative versatility. Traditional intaglio printmaking has a strong linear bias, but is lacking in painterly possibilities. By contrast, Acrylic Resist Etching introduces a new breadth of painterly mark making to the intaglio medium while retaining all of its essential graphic qualities.
Safe Photo Etching for Photographers and Artists
Keith Howard, 1999, Wynne Resources, Alberta
The Properties of Acrylics
Acrylics brushed, poured, rolled, or sprayed onto a metal plate form a strong bond with the plate surface. During etching, acrylics do not tend to chip off along the edges of the eroded intaglio, as is the case with oil-based resists and, if required, can even be left on plates during printing. In the liquid state acrylic grounds can be easily cleaned from brushes or work surfaces with soapy water, but become water and mordant resistant once they have fully hardened.
Acrylics can also acquire self-texturing and tonal qualities when they are diluted rather than used neat. This unique property is exploited in acrylic resist etching techniques such as the "destruction ground" or the diluted SOFT GROUND. Both of these are designed to conjure up reticulated wash effects on the print which resemble lithography or wash painting, whilst infusing them with the depth and crispness that is unique to intaglio printmaking.
The acrylic wash process works like homeopathy: the more diluted the solution the more potent the effect. For a standard acrylic resist wash medium, dilute about 1 part acrylic medium to about 50 parts water. This will yield a black after about an hour of etching in Edinburgh Etch. Lighter tones are created by filling in with more concentrated layers of acrylic medium. The rust colored Hunt Speedball Screen Filler is Keith Howard's preferred wash medium. Lascaux make a dedicated wash medium which is ideal as a wash resist on zinc and steel plates.
Safe Stripping with Orange Zest Solvents
Acrylic stop-out can be stripped off in a strong soda ash solution or use one of the excellent citrus-based safe solvents now on the market (such as D*Solve by Z*Acryl) which remove acrylics with great ease.
"This truly revolutionary solvent was formulated as an alternative to petroleum-based turpentines and thinners. It is made from 100% renewable agricultural resources of soy, corn, and citrus, and is non-polluting, non-carcinogenic, and bio-degradable. Less than a teaspoon will thoroughly clean a large plate. DSolve will even strip dried ink from etched lines." Dick Blick
Image: Z*Acryl Product D*Solve
Make up a Spray Aquatint and Hard Ground (based on this polymer) as follows:
SAFETY NOTE: a few acrylic products now carry a note warning of a possible cancer hazard;
this may be related to a formaldehyde content (2012)
|Protection against low level VOC exposure|
Today there are many paint products that are marketed as ‘safe’, yet there may still be harmful low-level VOC emissions, such as glycol ether. Examples: many water-based paints, acrylic floor finish, some artist acrylics, low odor, low VOC solvents, and printmaking resists.
Although a full organic respirator may be impractical for a day’s work we would recommend wearing a disposable light weight mask that offers some organic vapor protection. Dispose of the mask after a day’s work (about $ 5 per mask).
3M™ Particulate Respirator 8514, N95, with Nuisance Level Organic Vapor Relief
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CONTRIBUTIONS: We may be able to include details of your practice, materials, or research on www.NontoxicPAINTandPRINT.info - just contact us. To ADD / EDIT / REMOVE entries: CONTACT us. The copyright of individual entries, essays and writings (dedicated, adapted or reprinted), brand names, images, and other contributions remains with the original authors and sources. We assert copyright for this web resource, our own writings, research, images, and editorial work. Submissions may be edited at our discretion. We welcome appropriate links to our resource. LISTINGS: corporate entries on our pages are listings for reference, research and illustration purposes - not commercial advertisements. RESEARCH: We are particularly keen on contributions highlighting new research and developments regarding safety of processes and methods, paints, inks, etchants, solvents, and safety related to their use and application. We also publish findings in the fields of workplace safety, toxicology and industrial hygiene. Please Note: the terms 'nontoxic' , 'safe' and 'green' are relative concepts.