What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a printing technique where a mesh screen is used to transfer ink onto a substrate (in this case paper), except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. A blade or squeegee is moved across the screen to fill the open mesh with ink, and a reverse stroke then causes the screen to touch the paper momentarily. This causes the ink to wet the paper and be pulled out of the mesh as the screen springs back after the blade has passed. One color is printed at a time, so several screens are used to produce a multicolored image.

There are various terms used for what is essentially the same technique -- serigraphy, serigraph printing and screen printing or silkscreen printing because silk was used in the process. The most popular screen mesh in general use is made of polyester.

Adam also uses a stainless steel screen for printing the metallics on the Woodland Series. Variation in the mesh size will increase or decrease the amount of ink that will be transferred to the substrate.

Each screen print is slightly unique because of the hand-quality of screen printing process. All screen prints are open editions (not limited by numbers) and hand-signed and dated by Adam.

Overall, these works are an original art form-- not a reproduction. Cheers!

Painted works by Adam Turman are generally acrylic or spray paint on canvas or wood panels. Most of his paintings are available during Inktober: a painting-a-day during the month of October. Each painting is finished with a clear coat, signed and dated by hand. Enjoy!