1.Blending Medium:
Blending Medium is used with Akua Intaglio Ink. It is used to thin the ink for brushwork, wash effects or use it as a resist for viscosity monotypes. It is a clear, colourless liquid which cleans up with water. It can be used to create a wet on wet look, wash effects and blends on monotype plates and paper. To do this, apply the Blending Medium directly onto the monotype plate, brush the colour over the Blending Medium and blend as desired.
2.Mag Mix:
Mag Mix is magnesium carbonate mixed in soy-oil to create a paste used to make Akua Intaglio ink stiffer.
It is cleaned up with liquid dish soap followed by water. Mag Mix stiffens Akua Intaglio ink instantly and since the results can be seen immediately, the possibility of adding too much is reduced, compared to using magnesium carbonate powder. Akua Intaglio ink with Mag Mix added in will dry faster and ink rub off on finished prints is reduced.
3.Release Agent :
Release Agent has two purposes when it is used with Akua Intaglio ink.
1) For monotype ghost prints. After printing a monotype, roll Release Agent on top of the residue ink on the plate and pull a second, lighter version of the first print.
2) To add shine to metallic inks. Roll Release Agent over the metallic ink that has been applied to the plate. Wait three minutes and print.
On first appearance, Release Agent looks white in the jar but rolls up clear and is colour less. It has a soft buttery consistency and cleans up with liquid dish detergent.
4.Transparent Base:
Transparent Base is a water soluble soy based intaglio or relief ink base without the pigment. It can be used with Akua Intaglio inks.
If you add the Transparent Base to the Akua Intaglio ink it will increase the ink transparency. It is light amber in colour and has a thick consistency. No set amount of colour is needed as it is dependent on the artists choice of colour intensity or transparency. Soap and water clean-up.