People often ask how these works are made.
The short answer is that they come from a mix of design discipline and printmaking logic.
The long answer is slower, more layered, and moves through several stages before anything reaches paper.
1. Composing the image
Everything begins in Photoshop. Several source images are blended into a single composition, shaping the subject, setting, and overall mood. This part takes the most time, because it’s where the piece is essentially born. Once the composition is complete, it’s processed into a refined, ultra-high-quality halftone bitmap that carries the tonal structure needed for transfer.
2. From bitmap to plate
The bitmap is printed in black toner onto a specialty paper. The toner becomes the base of the resist, holding the essential values and shapes of the final piece.
3. Creating the resist transfer
A thin layer of acrylic paint is rolled onto a gel plate. The toner print is pressed onto this surface, and as it lifts, the halftone transfers into the paint as a resist. A protective coat seals this foundation so the next phase can happen behind it without disturbing the structure.
4. Painting behind the image
Painting is done in reverse. Highlights first, shadows later. Foreground before background. Years of working with transparent acrylic pigments and glazing techniques give the pieces their particular brightness and quiet depth. The luminosity comes from stacking thin, transparent layers rather than relying on opaque paint, allowing light to move through the work instead of sitting on top of it.
5. The final transfer
Once the painted plate has dried fully, acrylic gel is used to transfer the image to its final surface—usually a smooth bristol. The pull lifts the image in one complete layer, merging the halftone structure and the painted glazes into a single unified print.
6. The finished result
What starts as a digital composite becomes a physical object with its own atmosphere, clarity, and presence. The process moves between digital thinking and hands-on craft, giving each piece a character that reflects both worlds without calling attention to either.
Process FAQ
Are these prints made by AI?
The physical pieces are not AI-generated. The final artwork is created by hand through a multi-stage printmaking and painting process. The only AI on this site appears in some product mockups, where the room or scene is generated. The artwork shown inside those mockups is entirely human-made.
Who makes these artworks?
The artworks here are made and sold exclusively by Khabraal, a Southern California based artist and designer.
How long does it take to create an original?
Each work moves through several stages, so it’s not a quick process. A single piece usually takes several days from the first composition to the final transfer.
Are these prints limited editions?
Not right now. Each print is made from a high-resolution scan of the original artwork, but editions aren’t capped. If that ever changes, it will be noted on the product page. Contact us if you'd like to buy an original.
Are the prints different than the originals?
The originals have physical texture and depth from the paint layers and transfers. The giclée prints are flat, but they preserve the color, detail, and tonal structure very closely.
Why do the artworks look layered or textured?
That comes from the way the image is built. The halftone structure sits on top, and the paint is built behind it in thin transparent layers. The final transfer fuses those elements together.
Why do you use halftone bitmaps?
The halftone gives the piece its structure. It holds the tonal values while allowing the paint layers to shine through. It’s a bridge between digital planning and physical craft.
How do you choose your subjects or themes?
Most pieces start from mood and presence. The subject grows out of the lighting, attitude, and emotional tone of the composition. The figures are based on the likeness of real people, but the final artworks are not portraits of those individuals unless explicitly stated.
Do you use photography in your work?
Yes, during the initial composition stage. Reference images help shape lighting, posture, and structure before the painting begins. The final artwork is entirely hand-made.
Why do some pieces have more texture or depth than others?
It depends on how many paint layers go into the piece and how the transfer sets. Some compositions call for a softer look; others build more contrast and depth.
How are the giclée prints made?
The giclée prints are produced from a scan of the original artwork, using archival inks on museum-grade paper. The print reflects the detail, texture, and tonal depth of the original. Normal poster printing uses a 4 color process, our giclée prints are made with a 12 color process.
Where are the original artworks made?
The original monotypes are made by Khabraal, in Southern California.
