The Process For Creating Aquatint Etchings

PREPARING THE PLATE

Aquatint etching is a technique that produces a full tonal range and rich texture in etchings. To create an aquatint, rosin dust is dropped onto a copper plate and then the rosin is melted onto the plate. This produces a matrix of small acid resistant dots across the surface of the plate.

 
Technical Articles on aquatint etching written for printmakers
The Process For Creating Lithographs
To see step by step descriptions of the creation of my most recent prints, including what I am working on now, go to Work In Progress
Photo by Susan Sanford © 2000
The plate is heated on the hot plate to melt the rosin. A loupe is used to observe the progress of the melting.
PAGE 1, PREPARING THE PLATE
PAGE 2, DRAWING THE IMAGE
Photo by Susan Sanford © 2000
PAGE 3, MULTIPLE PLATE PRINTS
The plate goes into the rosin box after the the crank has been turned to raise the rosin dust.
PAGE 4, PRINTING THE PLATE