Mezzotint Prints
This traditional copper plate process requires great attention in preparation, draughtsmanship and burnishing technique. The digital capture below does not do justice to the ‘velvet’ chiaroscuro that transfers from the plate to Hahnemühle Paper. The mezzotint process is time consuming and testing! The preparation of the plate is an art in itself with the shinning copper plates transformed into a textured rough surface to retain the ink having to be achieved through cutting grooves into the copper with a sharpened steel ‘rocker.’ Uniform rocking of the plate provides the ground to make quality marks using burnishing tools create the wide breadth of tones and highlights. Every print needs to go through a number of ‘states’ before the final print is achieved, but it is worth it as the atmospheres are unique.
