New approaches to non-toxic material and techniques in original printmaking

In this thesis, the art of printmaking is discussed within the scope of the process from the first engravings of humanity on stone and cave paintings to the present day. In this process, the focus is on health-safe printmaking techniques. During the research and literature review process, there were not many sources in our country on safer/non-toxic printmaking techniques, and it was seen that the found sources were written recently. For this reason, the sources of artists who continue to work on healthier printmaking techniques in countries such as Northern Europe, Canada and America have been examined. According to studies conducted around the world, it has been proven that acids, solvents, petroleum-based floors, toxic solvents and heavy metal-containing pigment inks, resins and much more, used in traditional printmaking techniques, have serious harms to our health and nature. It is known that these health problems can result in serious respiratory problems, drunkenness, nausea, headache, eye problems, skin burns, blindness, even cancer risk and death. Many printmaking artists in our country have continued to work with toxic materials for years and have faced various health problems caused by toxic substances. The use of healthier and completely non-toxic materials such as vegetable cleaning solution (Vegetable Cleaning Agent, VCA), vinegar, Marseille soap, vegetable oil, soy sauce, acrylic ink and floors, which can be alternatives to various toxic substances used in traditional printmaking techniques, creates a non-toxic working environment. In line with the researches, it has been seen that non-toxic printmaking studies have started in our country as well. Traditional techniques with toxic materials are still being applied by academicians in most university workshops. In these times when there is a pandemic disease in the world and there has been a focus on sustainability in recent years, many artist/artist candidates have stayed away from well-equipped workshops in our country where traditional techniques are applied. At this point, experiments were made with non-toxic materials, without the need for expensive workshop equipment, in line with their own means. At this point, artist/artist candidates have made experiments with non-toxic materials in line with their own means, without the need for expensive workshop equipment. Due to the lack of materials in our country, artists have tended to use alternative materials. This research focuses on the questions of how artists can apply safer techniques in their home environment. The main purpose of this study is to contribute to both the literature and the use of artists as materials by examining the non-toxic printmaking techniques, which are very young in our country.