what is printmaking? what is its importance?

Printmaking is the process of making artwork by printing (usually on paper). It mostly covers the process of creating prints that have some originality to them, rather than a photograph being reproduced into a painting. Printmaking is important because there are various types of art forms involved in printmaking. Such as graffiti, engraving, and woodcut. Printmaking is used by many today and still is a common interest. Artists also use this process, and this process is used as a way to express an art piece, as well as many other things. Printmaking is known as revolutionary because it has become more relevant in our country today, in terms of being able to make copies of things, make things more exact, and accessible. It is a more advanced form of art, it’s used worldwide. Although not everyone uses it, a majority of people, at least in the US know what printmaking is. Not only is Printmaking used in many different states in the US, the way it is used and seen is what makes printmaking so unique.

This piece is called “An Neel”, produced the famous artist, Pablo Picasso. This type of printmaking is known as Etching. I find this printmaking particularly appealing because of how reflective the piece itself is. There are many different lines, the lines are in different shapes, going every which way. This is the type of artwork that I love because it could have multiple meanings. This piece could also be interpreted as various things. The picture could represent a bunch of squiggly lines, pathways, roads, or a birds-eye view of a city/town/village.
This print really makes you think, and a lot of prints out there don’t really make you think or leave the creation up to your imagination. For example, a picture of a house, you don’t think about whether it’s a house or not because it’s clearly shown that what is drawn, is a house. That’s one of the main reasons of why Pablo Picasso’s artwork is so original, distinctive, and reflective.

Source: https://www.artsy.net/artwork/ibrahim-el-salahi-an-neel
Artist: Pablo Picasso