Reproducing the old masters: Applying colour mixing and painting methodologies to inkjet printing

Parraman, Carinna; Olen, Melissa; Padfield, Joseph

Abstract

This research investigates multi-channel inkjet printing methods, which deviate from standard colour management workflows by reflecting on art historical processes, including the construction of colour in old master works, to reproduce specific colour pigment mixes in print. This is approached by incorporating artist colour mixing principles relevant to traditional art making processes through direct n-channel printing and the implementation of multiple pass printing. By demanding specific ink colourants to be employed in print, as well as the application of mixing colour though layering, we can mimic the effects of the traditional processes. These printing methods also generate colour through a variety of colour mixtures that may not have been employed or achieved by the printer driver. The objective of this research is to explore colour mixing and layering techniques in the printing of inkjet reproductions of original artworks that will maintain subtle colour transitions in dark shadow regions. While these colours are lost in traditional inkjet reproduction, by using direct n-channel editing capabilities to reproduce a painted original with high dynamic range we can improve colour variation in the shadow regions. © 2014 SPIE-IS&T.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: 26th annual Symposium on Electronic Imaging, The Society for Imaging Science and Technology and SPIE
• Publication Date: Mar 3, 2014
• Journal: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
• Print ISSN: 0277-786X
• Electronic ISSN: 1996-756X
• Publisher: Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9015
• Series Title: SPIE volumes
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2040647
• Keywords: multi-channel inkjet printing methods, colour, fine art historical processes, colour pigment mixes, layering, n-channel
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1434342
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2040647
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 26th annual Symposium on Electronic Imaging