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Intaglio...(in-tal-yo)
is a very old process of engraving, etching, and other techniques
that cut into metal plates (usually copper or zinc). The earliest
intaglio prints have been traced to the 15th century. The
image is created below the surface of the metal, and a paper
print is made from the inked metal plate. |
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The intaglio prints
shown here are printed from acid-etched zinc plates. I control
the acid biting on the plate by using grounds (a waxy substance
that resists the acid) and aquatints (air brush or melted
rosin powder) to create gray tones. Burnishers, scrapers and
other tools are used to create other tonal qualities on the
plate. |
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Once the zinc plate
is completed, I put intaglio ink on the plate and carefully
wipe the plate clean, leaving ink only in the lines and depressions
of the metal. |
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Then a dampened piece
of printing paper is put on the plate which is placed on the
press bed. |
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Then I roll them by
hand through my heavy flat bed etching press by turning the
big hand wheel. About a ton of pressure is applied as the
paper and inked plate pass between the rollers. |
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After I
pull the printed paper off the press, it takes about 2-3 days
to dry. |
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Later I
look them over and sign them and number the ones that are
identical to my edition. The ones that come out differently
are signed as artist proofs. |
