Aesop's Fable Research 7

A Beginners Guide to Drypoint

ARTISTS AND ILLUSTRATORS

On the labels of prints with scratchy, seemingly hand-drawn images, you will often see the term ‘drypoint’, but what exactly does it involve?

The process is like using a pen without the ink – literally, drawing with a dry point – to create an impression of a drawing that, when inked, can be printed from again and again.

Think of it as an etching without the acid, or engraving with an etching needle. Whistler and Picasso are two artists worth looking at for examples of this type of work. 

The soft, feathery lines of drypoint lend themselves to playful illustrations or expressive sketches, which can then produce an edition of prints. Traditionally drypoint is done on copper plates with a diamond- or carbide-tipped needle. It is then inked (as in all intaglio methods) and cleaned, leaving ink only in the crevices. The force of the printing press then squeezes out the remaining ink and the image is transferred onto the paper – this requires tremendous pressure that cannot be applied by hand (hence the necessity of a press). If you are serious about intaglio printmaking, you will want to find a studio with a press.

But before you go gallivanting into the abyss or dismissing it entirely, how about trying it at home? A DIY print can be created using drypoint card or any card that is laminated on one side (like card from a cereal box) for the plate, a nail or other sharp implement to make the drawing, and a rolling pin, bayer or hand-made palm-press to press it.

Prepare the Plate

Drypoint or intaglio printing card is available from printing shops and is simply cardboard that is laminated on one side. You can draw into ordinary mountboard instead and then varnish it with button polish before using it to print. Try something small, between A5 and A6 size, for convenience.

Transfer the Image

Plan or transfer your image onto the plate using tracing paper and a soft pencil or, if you want to keep the freshness the drawing, just grab your drawing tool and get going. You need to break the surface of the card to create the burr that will hold the ink later. And don’t forget that your image will print in reverse!

Don't Just Scratch the Surface

Experiment by using other tools to make marks in the surface. Sandpaper can create interesting textures or an impression of shading. Improvise with tools: you may have embossing or sculpture tools, sewing needles or nails lying around the house – try them all.

Scrape on the Inks

If you are using laminated card then you can ink your plate up straight away. If you use ordinary mountboard, you need to varnish it first using button polish. Scrape a thin layer of intaglio printing ink evenly across the whole plate, making sure it gets into the grooves. Blot most of it off the surface with rags or newspaper.

Print Away!

Soak a piece of heavy paper and then blot excess water. Make sure you are working on a nonslip surface (buy non-slip material or rubbery cleaning cloths). Use a clipboard to hold everything in place and layer it thus: non-slip material, plate, damp paper, newspaper and then a soft, thick fabric, e.g. felt. If you don’t have a clipboard, improvise with a bulldog clip and board. Use a rolling pin, bayer or anything that will allow you to apply pressure evenly. Peel back the paper carefully to see your print.