Alice 

Charles Blackman’s print, "Alice," is a lithograph, a printmaking technique involving drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance. The image is then transferred to paper using a press. The quality of line in "Alice" suggests that Blackman likely drew directly onto the lithographic stone or plate, giving the image its spontaneous, sketch-like feel. The material qualities of lithography invite a graphic approach, with areas of flat color and bold outlines defining the figures and foliage. This directness encourages an intimacy between the artist and the image, visible in every line and color choice. Lithography, as a means of reproduction, opens up interesting questions about art’s relationship to labor. Blackman, by using printmaking, democratizes his art, making it accessible to a wider audience. The process is linked to both artistic vision and the mechanics of reproduction. This invites us to consider the labor involved, both Blackman’s creative process and the printer’s technical skill, and to appreciate the blend of art and craft at play.