Early Lithographs

The first lithographs were drawn on fine-grained limestone called Kelheim stone, found only in one or two quarries in Bavaria. A design was drawn on the grained surface of the stone with greasy inks or crayons. The whole surface of the stone was then damped with water and then covered with a printing ink. The grained surface of the stone helped to hold water. While the printing ink adhered only to the greasy drawing, the water protected the rest of the printing surface. An impression could then be obtained.