A

A La Poupee
A printmaking technique that involves applying multiple colors directly onto a single plate using small fabric daubers or brushes. This method allows for the creation of multicolored prints in a single pass through the press. In intaglio printmaking, it is a particularly intricate process that requires precise application to ensure colors do not bleed into one another.

Acid
A corrosive liquid, such as nitric acid or ferric chloride, used in traditional etching processes to bite into the exposed areas of a metal plate. The acid dissolves the metal, creating grooves that hold the ink during printing. However, in drypoint, the lines are created entirely by physical scratching, so acid is not part of the technique.

B

Bite
The process by which acid corrodes a metal plate in etching, creating incised lines where the ink will later be held. The depth and texture of the lines depend on the duration of the plate’s exposure to the acid. Although not relevant to drypoint, the concept of “bite” is central to understanding how other intaglio methods differ.

Burr
The ridge of displaced metal that forms on either side of a line incised with a drypoint needle. This burr gives drypoint prints their distinctive soft, velvety line quality, which fades over time as the burr wears down with repeated pressings. The presence of burr also limits the number of high-quality impressions that can be made from a drypoint plate.

C

Copper Plate
A commonly used matrix in intaglio printmaking, prized for its ability to hold intricate detail. Copper is especially well-suited for drypoint because its softness allows for deep, expressive lines, yet it is durable enough to withstand the pressure of the printing press. Artists often polish copper plates to a mirror finish before beginning their work.

Crosshatching
A shading technique that involves the use of intersecting sets of parallel lines to create tonal variation and depth. In printmaking, crosshatching is often employed to produce rich, textured shadows or subtle gradations of light. The technique is particularly effective in drypoint, where the burr enhances the tonal quality of the lines.

D

Drypoint
A form of intaglio printmaking where the artist scratches lines directly into a metal plate using a sharp needle. Unlike etching, which requires acid to bite into the plate, drypoint relies entirely on the physical pressure of the artist’s hand. The burr created by this process produces soft, rich lines that are unique to the medium, making drypoint an expressive and tactile art form.

Deckle Edge
The rough, irregular edge found on handmade or specialty papers. Deckle edges are often prized in printmaking for their aesthetic quality, lending a sense of authenticity and craftsmanship to the finished print. This feature arises naturally during the paper-making process when the paper pulp settles unevenly at the mold’s edges.

E

Edition
A set of prints made from the same plate, produced in a limited quantity and typically numbered and signed by the artist. Each impression in the edition is considered an original work, and collectors value lower edition numbers or prints marked as “artist’s proofs.” For drypoint, the edition size is often smaller due to the delicate nature of the burr.

Engraving
An intaglio technique in which an artist uses a burin, a specialized tool with a sharp, beveled tip, to carve clean lines into a metal plate. The resulting grooves create sharp, precise marks on the final print. Unlike drypoint, engraving lacks the burr, resulting in a crisper line quality.

F

Foul Bite
An unintended mark or area of corrosion on a metal plate, typically caused by unintended texture or blemishes to a print, often viewed as flaws. In drypoint, where no acid is used, such mishaps are avoided, but other unintentional scratches or marks might occur during the engraving process. Artists often incorporate or correct these “imperfections” creatively.

G

Ground
A protective coating applied to the surface of a metal plate in traditional etching methods. The ground is typically made from wax or resin and shields areas of the plate from acid exposure, allowing artists to draw designs that will be etched into the plate. Drypoint does not require a ground, as the design is directly scratched into the plate.

Graver
A versatile tool used primarily in engraving to carve lines into a metal plate. It has a sharp, chisel-like tip that allows for the creation of precise, crisp marks. While drypoint artists generally use needles, gravers can also be employed for deeper or more deliberate incisions in drypoint work.

H

Hard Ground
A type of etching ground that is firm and durable, used to coat plates during the etching process. Artists scratch through the hard ground to expose the metal beneath before immersing the plate in acid. This technique contrasts with drypoint, which bypasses the use of ground entirely.

Hatching
A fundamental technique in art and printmaking that involves creating parallel lines to suggest tone, texture, or shadow. Hatching can be enhanced in drypoint by varying the pressure of the needle, which affects the prominence of the burr and the resulting printed line quality.