Etching & Intaglio Printmaking

Intaglio Printmaking is a family of printing techniques in which drawings and images are incised into a metal plate. Using a drawing needle, images are transferred through a thin protective ground to expose copper. With the help of a chemical bath, their image is etched into the metal with a remarkable amount of detail. Working more spontaneously, artists can also scratch images directly on the plate, transfer textures onto the plate, or paint directly on their plates mordant.

Beginning with basic line etching, students will learn and practice traditional plate making and printing processes. Through chine collé, aquatint, dry point, soft ground, and experimentation, student will add tonality, color, and varied marks to their images. While no prior printing experience is needed, students that do have intaglio experience can revisit the foundational skills with a more nuanced understanding of the process, and move on to independent projects.