Drypoint
Drypoint is a printmaking technique of the intaglio family in which an image is incised into a metal plate by directly scratching the surface with a hard, sharp metal point. This causes a raised ridge or ‘burr’ of metal – rather like soil thrown up with a plough. Ink is pushed into the grooves, scratches and burrs of the plate and the surface then carefully wiped clean before the plate is passed through an etching press. This whole inking and wiping process needs to be repeated for each print. The burr holds some ink when printed forming a characteristically soft and blurry line quality.
The pressure from the printing press tends to wear down the burrs quite quickly and so drypoints are usually only available in small editions.
The pressure from the printing press tends to wear down the burrs quite quickly and so drypoints are usually only available in small editions.
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Rembrandt frequently used the drypoint technique in conjunction with etching and engraving. Drypoints were traditionally created on a soft metal plate, such as copper, but contemporary artists also work on acrylic sheet and use a variety of tools such as soldering irons, nails and files to create similar effects.
Drypoint relief is a modern method of inking and printing from the surface of a plastic plate rather than from the more traditional grooves and scratches.
The Castle Gallery, Inverness, is renowned for its extensive collection of handmade prints from artists who are amongst the leading exponents of original prints in the UK, including many who have been elected to the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. We promote original handmade prints because we believe in their superb craftsmanship, aesthetic value and integrity.
Drypoint relief is a modern method of inking and printing from the surface of a plastic plate rather than from the more traditional grooves and scratches.
The Castle Gallery, Inverness, is renowned for its extensive collection of handmade prints from artists who are amongst the leading exponents of original prints in the UK, including many who have been elected to the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. We promote original handmade prints because we believe in their superb craftsmanship, aesthetic value and integrity.