PRINTMAKING | Drypoint

Mar 13, 2022

Drypoint | Aluminium | Plate

| Drypoint is a printmaking process in which a design is drawn on a plate with a sharp, pointed needle-like instrument |

Here's a small drypoint (aluminium) plate (12.5 x 10 cm) Featuring a cicada with lotus blossoms & ginkgo leaves.

I have used a combination of tools including drypoint needles & a tattoo machine with a single needle.

Tools

Finished Plate

Printmaking & Intaglio Artwork Icon 3 | Punctured Artefact

The Burr

I am still testing out different ways of inking & wiping drypoint plates

The lines on drypoint plates are softer. The lines created are slightly raised & can have a ragged or rough appearance at the edges. This is known as the burr. The ink then adheres to both the incised line and the burr. This gives the printed line a distinctive velvety soft look. There are no clean or perfect lines or edges on a drypoint.

This has taken me a little while to get used to , as my line art is generally so precise but I now love the soft inconsistency.

Inking

>>>>>

Burr

Printing

Printmaking & Intaglio Artwork Icon 3 | Punctu

There are so many variables which come into the printing a plate.

I used to find it frustrating… but have now settled into it being 'part of the process'.

So often I either under wipe (remove too much ink) or over wipe (don’t remove enough ink)

I am still experimenting & learning , using different papers, inks & techniques

More often than not I don't get a print I like!

Imperfections;

I think it is important to show that not everything works first time.

I am hoping it gets more predictable with practise!

Quite often it is the print that I don't spend too much thought or time on , that comes out the best!

Anyway, here are a few variations to illustrate it!

>>>>>> ++++ Images | Examples of Over-Wipe, Under-Wipe & Variations

LINKS

| Intaglio Page |

• Etching

• Drypoint

SHOP

I am planning to release limited edition prints over 2022. The shop is set up. I just need to create the prints!

STUDIO

Heres a little look at my workspace, as you can see it is rather tiny & I have to do my leather art, digital art, tattoo design & printing in the same space, So I have to be quite methodical!