Which process involves drawing with a greasy medium to create an image on a printing surface?

Lithography is a printing process that relies on the principle of oil and water repulsion. In this technique, an artist uses a greasy substance, such as a special lithographic crayon or ink, to draw an image on a flat stone or metal plate. The surface is then treated so that the drawn areas will accept ink while the non-drawn areas repel it. When printing, ink adheres only to the greasy areas, allowing for a clear transfer of the image onto paper. This method is particularly valued for its ability to produce fine lines and subtle gradations of tone, making it a favored method among artists for creating prints that closely reflect the nuances of original drawings.

In contrast, screen printing involves pushing ink through a mesh screen, relief printing uses raised surfaces to create images, and intaglio relies on incised lines or textures on a plate that hold ink. Each of these processes has its unique characteristics and applications, but lithography specifically distinguishes itself by utilizing the properties of greasy mediums to achieve its results.