Mezzotint
Mezzotint involves the roughening of the smooth surface of a metal plate with a serrated steel tool or ‘rocker’ creating a uniform mass of dot indentations. If inked up, this plate would print onto paper as a solid, rich, velvety black. The principle of a mezzotint is that the plate, once prepared, is worked from dark to light using a burnishing tool to flatten the metal shavings ('burr') created by the dots. Removing burr means less ink will adhere and the lighter the image will print.
It is a tonal technique and relies on soft gradations to create an image and not line. Mezzotints are traditionally printed in black ink and any colour required can be painted on the print after it has dried. Alternatively, several plates can be created, inked up and printed one on top of the other to give a dense, luxurious combination of colours.
It is a medium that requires great patience and perseverance. It is time-consuming process and so mezzotint prints tend to be on a small scale. There are only few modern-day exponents of this printmaking technique which saw its heyday in 18th century Britain.
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.
It is a tonal technique and relies on soft gradations to create an image and not line. Mezzotints are traditionally printed in black ink and any colour required can be painted on the print after it has dried. Alternatively, several plates can be created, inked up and printed one on top of the other to give a dense, luxurious combination of colours.
It is a medium that requires great patience and perseverance. It is time-consuming process and so mezzotint prints tend to be on a small scale. There are only few modern-day exponents of this printmaking technique which saw its heyday in 18th century Britain.
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.
