History and Process

With the availability of paper in the Renaissance period, Intaglio printing became popular as an art in it’s own right. Before this, engraving metal was used primarily on three-dimensional objects, serving a decorative purpose. Modern Engraving Example Jim Blair

As Intaglio developed, it became popular for multiples and reproduction methods, especially for religious themes and other literature. The spread of the rolling press further expanded the use of Intaglio methods (before this, artists burnished the plates by hand to transfer the image – similar to how you rub the paper when you relief print). As you should already be aware, Intaglio includes methods such as: Engraving Etching Mezzotint Aquatint Albrect Durer

Engraving is performed by using a sharpened tool to carve a line into the matrix. An example of this is “Drypoint.” By carving into the surface of the plate, the copper that is “pushed” out of the way forms a burr. The burr holds more ink and prints a soft, solid, line. Larger burrs are created by angling the drawing tool (versus pressure).

The first Intaglio process we will cover is Etching. Some of the most prolific artists who used this process are Durer (as seen on the previous slide), Rembrandt, and Goya. Rembrandt, Self-portrait Goya

In etching a resist (called a ground”) is applied to the matrix. Using only enough pressure to remove the ground (but NOT scratch the matrix), the artist using a sharp tool to draw their image. The drawn areas expose the matrix, and when placed in the acid (ferric chloride), the exposed areas are bitten. Lines in etching are smooth and hard-edged/clean.

Using a hard ground you can achieve fine lines of various shades and tones. Using a soft ground you can etch patterns and textures (think of this ground as soft wax you can press with fabrics, etc). Mezzotint uses a tool called a “rocker” which basically stipples the plate. Using an Aquatint, you can “shade your image”. We won’t use the traditional rosin for this process, but a similar effect can be achieved with hairspray or spraypaint. ALL of these methods use a resist, exposing areas to be bitten by the acid.

Adam Cruft MC Escher – 7 th state mezzotint Mezzotint Rockers

The patterned areas are a soft ground, the fine lines are a hard ground and the Various areas of tones are aquatint. Most plates use a combination of several techniques!

You will create a plate which utilizes hard ground and aquatint techniques. You can also hand color prints in the end to create a monoprint. Your plate is 4x6 inches. Create a composition which effectively fills the space. Your image needs to include your hands, an inanimate object, and an insect. How you arrange this is up to you. You can include much more than this and many students often do! You may need to do some research on the computer to gather ideas and reference materials. Generate 3 detailed, to scale ideas, and show them to me for approval.