Roses, Drypoint on white and grey Rives BFK, 14×11″ paper, 2016
What is Intaglio?
Simply put, there are two basic types of printmaking: prints made from the ink on top of the carved plate’s surface (like woodcuts). Woodcuts are a type of relief prints. The second type of printmaking is made from incised plates that are inked, then wiped off, leaving the ink in the crevices (like drypoint engravings). These are Intaglio prints. Drypoint is a type of intaglio.
For drypoint, after the plate is scribed, the entire top of the plate is covered with ink. The ink is then carefully removed, often with pieces of newsprint, and stiff cheesecloth. The process of wiping the ink takes time, between 15 to 45 minutes per print, and the wiping has a lot to do with the final result. Plate tone, line variance, and lifting techniques can do a lot to change the look of a print. Thankfully, Nikki Barber has been handling this part of the process for me. We talk about each print, to be sure I’m getting the results I want. She’ll darken some areas, lighten others. You can see the difference in the petals on the table, we left those with some plate tone so they’re a gentle gray.
Plate Tone?
One of the things I enjoy in these prints is the plate tone. Plate tone is a light haze of ink intentionally left on the surface of the plate which creates delicate areas of tone or shading. For highlights such as the pedals of a flower, the plate tone can be lifted off, creating a soft glow effect. Nikki experimented with various lift up methods, causing the pedals to glow, and the jug to appear slightly round or slightly flat.
I think I might be approaching 20 different (and rather pretty) drypoint images for Some Pretty Paintings, my solo show at Smith & Vallee Gallery in January. The drypoints are printed in collaboration with Nikki Barber and are printed in editions – between 3 and 10 prints per image.
I’ll post one artwork per day through December. Please share and enjoy these images.
If you’d like to have one of these original drypoint prints for yourself or a friend, they are only $125, and you can have it in time for the holidays. Contact me if you’d like me to save one for you.
See you in January!
Ruthie V.
Some Pretty Paintings
A collection of figures and flowers in paintings and prints
Show opens January 5, 2019
Show up through January 27th
Artist Talk Saturday, January 5th (3:30-4:30pm)
Opening Reception to follow (5-7pm)
One year ago in March, to protect our students and teachers from a new coronavirus, the Seattle Artist League moved our classes online. The virus was declared a national emergency, …
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Some Pretty Paintings: Roses
Roses, Drypoint on white and grey Rives BFK, 14×11″ paper, 2016
What is Intaglio?
Simply put, there are two basic types of printmaking: prints made from the ink on top of the carved plate’s surface (like woodcuts). Woodcuts are a type of relief prints. The second type of printmaking is made from incised plates that are inked, then wiped off, leaving the ink in the crevices (like drypoint engravings). These are Intaglio prints. Drypoint is a type of intaglio.
Inking a Drypoint Plate
Plate Tone?
I think I might be approaching 20 different (and rather pretty) drypoint images for Some Pretty Paintings, my solo show at Smith & Vallee Gallery in January. The drypoints are printed in collaboration with Nikki Barber and are printed in editions – between 3 and 10 prints per image.
I’ll post one artwork per day through December. Please share and enjoy these images.
If you’d like to have one of these original drypoint prints for yourself or a friend, they are only $125, and you can have it in time for the holidays. Contact me if you’d like me to save one for you.
See you in January!
Ruthie V.
Some Pretty Paintings
A collection of figures and flowers in paintings and prints
Show opens January 5, 2019
Show up through January 27th
Artist Talk Saturday, January 5th (3:30-4:30pm)
Opening Reception to follow (5-7pm)
Smith & Vallee Gallery
5742 Gilkey Ave, Edison
(360) 766-6230
Open Daily 11-5
www.smithandvalleegallery.com
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