"Hand Powerful", 2008. Esmaltography of Jesus Iglesias.
Enamel is a technique for the production of graphic works by applying low temperature enamel on steel, copper or zinc sheets, which allows different textures to be used for the printing of prints.
BackgroundThe term esmaltography was coined by Aurora Cepeda Guerrero in collaboration with other teachers of the National School of Plastic Arts of the National Autonomous University of Mexico: Lourdes Alaniz; Ivonne López; Silvia Rodríguez Rubio and Alejandro Pérez Cruz, who at the end of the nineties developed the use of low temperature enamels applied on a metal support to be used as a traditional engraving plate, thus creating the conjunction of the two techniques of his specialty: enamel and engraving. Currently the enamyography is taught in the National School of Plastic Arts, where they have already graduated numerous specialists in it who are contributing to its diffusion. Support
The support for the elaboration of an enamel must be a metal foil that allows the transmission of the heat necessary to melt the enamel, for this purpose it is appropriate to use the common steel sheet, however, if you want to work the enamelling in conjunction with the classical engraving techniques, it is advisable to use metals suitable for this purpose, such as copper or zinc. Papers and Inks
One of the characteristics of enamel is the possibility of achieving high reliefs and textures of thickness, so it is advisable to use paper with a grammage of 250 g / m², free of acids to guarantee its durability. Also, it is recommended to use grease inks, of the same type as those used in rotogravure. Additional Equipment
It is necessary to have an electric stove and grill for curing glazings, as well as a turtle for stamp printing. Process
The development of an enamel is initiated by depositing the enamel powder on the support sheet. Control over the deposition process, together with the manipulation of the layer already deposited, allows to achieve shapes and textures that are fixed by the action of curing with heat on the stove. The enamel thus hardened lends itself to being inked in a manner similar to the rotogravure techniques to obtain prints by printing with a torus. Bibliography
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