Warhol & Silkscreen Printing

Silkscreen printing or screen-printing is the technique that can be traced back to China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Later, the technique spread across Asia before being introduced to Europe and America in 18th century, although it was not widely known until a century later.

Andy Warhol was one artist used this printing technique extensively.

“The reason I’m painting this way is that I want to be a machine, and I feel that whatever I do and do machine-like is what I want to do.” Warhol said.

Warhol, he needed some time to learn more about the screen-printing process. In the beginning, he experimented by using his own drawings to create a silkscreen printing. Later, he used photographs in the process, the final image much sharper than using his drawings.

The silkscreen printing technique made high volume production possible which suited Warhol’s obsession with reproduction concept. In the end, he created many world-famous artworks from this technique such as Campbell’s Soup Can (1967), Cow (1971), Marilyn Diptych (1962), Coca-Cola (1962) and many more.