Types of Hand-Pulled Prints

ETCHING

Traveller

detail from Traveller

-hard wax ground is laid on copper or zinc plate
-image is drawn with fine stylus into ground
-plate is then placed in bath of ferric chloride for a specific time to etch grooves
-ink is rubbed in and carefully wiped to reveal image
-image is transferred to damp paper under high pressure from etching press
-characteristics: fairly dependable; larger edition possible

DRYPOINT

Figure Study V

detail from Figure Study V

-image is drawn directly into copper using very sharp steel stylus
-ink is carefully applied and wiped to reveal image
-less pressure applied to print to paper
-characteristics: temperamental, difficult process; only small editions possible; exquisite delicate and velvety print, much sought after; can be used to augment bitten line etching

MEZZOTINT

James Bay Interior III

detail from James Bay Interior III

-plate is covered with a matrix of thousands of drypoint burrs with a stylus or specially shaped rocker
-image is created using scrapers and burnishers
-plate is inked and wiped
-image is transferred to damp paper under high pressure from etching press
-characteristics: lengthy elaborate process; good for tonal image; deep rich blacks; only small editions possible

MONOTYPES

Abkhazi #14

detail from Abkhazi #14

-printing ink applied directly and spontaneously to blank copper plate with brush, fingers or cloth
-less pressure applied to print to paper
-characteristics: single image; versatile and expressive

Note:

It is possible to use any of these processes to augment or modify each other, for example:

-etching with drypoint
-drypoint with etching
-etching with mezzotint