Printmaking: Engraving
Engraving is an intaglio printmaking technique, similar to drypoint and etching,
where the artists incise lines into a metal plate with a sharp tool called burin or graver.
The burin used for engraving has a v-shaped blade with a slightly curved tip designed to
remove burr and create a unique crisp and sharp line.
Surrounding the cut lines, a raised burr is forced to either side of the lines being created,
but is normally removed with a scraper from the plate before printing.
The burin or graver is then used to cut (by pushing the burin into the metal plate)
the images directly into the plate by drawing a series of lines with a variation of width,
depth and pressure to produce a variety of marks and lines.
Different shadings and textures can also be achieved with techniques like cross-hatching and stippling.
The deepest lines will hold the most ink and are darker than the shallow lines.
The width of the line can also be adjusted by pressure or repeated engraving.
The traditional engraving plates were made of copper as it is relatively soft,
although steel plates are also used as the printing plate last longer.
After the artist has finished the process of incising lines, the plate is inked up and printed like a normal intaglio print.
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