Drypoint Reflection

Drypoint Reflection

Techniques:
The type of printmaking technique that is used for dry points is from the Intaglio family, where an image is chiselled into a plate or sheet by a "needle" like sharp metal. 

How is the line created? What kind of lines does it produce? Are they all the same?
The lines are created by the burr thrown up at the sides of the incised lines, an extension to the depressions formed where the ink can leak into. They produce soft and heavy lines which also include thick and thin lines. 

How do you hold the needle?

You hold the needle like a pencil but of course, since plexiglass is heavier and denser than the paper you would have to apply more tension. The angle of the needle determines the burr. The greater the pressure the greater the depression in the plexiglass. 

How do you create different tones (gradations of light and dark?)
The lines with less depression and burr will be least likely to print. Tonal areas are built up by cross-hatching or stippling (closed dots).

How is the ink applied? How do you take the excess off?
We use the edge of a cardboard square to swipe the ink on the plate. To wipe the excess ink off the plate you rub it with an old towel or multiple paper towels then wiping it with a tarlatan pad (folded in) in a circular motion. Don't use excess pressure so you can avoid damaging the burr.

Compare and Contrast:
Lino block printmaking and drypoint printmaking are similar in some context but they have their differences. Stating the obvious, Lino block printmaking uses lino while dry point uses plexiglass to produce the product. Another difference is that the ink is engraved into the plexiglass while the rest on the surface is wiped off, but whilst using the lino block technique it is the opposite. Ink on the surface creates the image. The only similarity between the 2 is that tusks are used in both to create depressions in order to produce the print.

What do you prefer?
In my opinion, I prefer to use drypoint instead of lino block because it has much more expressionism within that art than the lino printmaking. It also brings out finer detail that linocuts cannot prevail.