Aquatint

The aquatint, also referred to as Tuschätzung, Bistermanier or Ätzlavierung, is a special method of artistic printmaking, are at the surface of the plate generates about half tones. She is considered one of the most picturesque gravure printing techniques.

The aquatint technique was invented in 1765-1768 by Jean Baptiste Leprince and used extensively by artists such as Francisco de Goya, Joan Miró, Hans -grained. In many cases, the aquatint process is combined with the etching. The graphics executed in aquatint process resemble washed ink drawings.

The procedure for aquatint

As a starting material for a aquatint etching is a metal plate, usually used of zinc or copper. This plate is degreased and then dusted with powdered resin, rosin or asphalt, that only a very thin layer of dust lies on the plate. The plate is then carefully heated from below, so that the resin granules begin to melt on the plate. However, the resin particles may not dissolve it. In the ideal case, a surface that resembles a fine sandpaper - with open and covered points. The picturesque covering with resist takes place prior to any further Ätzgang. In order for the points to be covered that will print white, already etched tones are appropriately protected and preserved in compacting sequence. With an etching solution are then etched to the resin granules around small depressions in the plate and there is a grid grain on the plate, stick in the ink when wiping the plate remains.

Various shades of gray is achieved by the fact that the plate is dried after the first etching and other games will be covered. By now taking place second etching the outstanding and previously produced by etching wells are deepened and widened, and can thus absorb more color than when printed in the meantime covered wells. With each additional masking and etching a darker halftone ( grayscale) is added.

After single or " Mehrstufenätzung " removed. , The resin or asphalt grit and all cladding The plate is then inked and the surface cleaned again by the color. However, the color in the wells will adhere, wherein the color image on the fineness of the grain of the raster, the density and the depth of the etch is determined. With the intaglio printing press, the ink is transferred to paper moistened. For each pressure trigger the plate - as with etching and engraving - are freshly inked and wiped.

Since Aquatintaplatten are particularly sensitive, can come about without Verstahlung not more than 100 high-quality prints. By Verstählung Although a higher circulation can be achieved, but at the same time is often the delicacy of this technique, which often determines its artistic appeal considerably, lost again.

Other forms of the aquatint process

Salt aquatint

At a thinly applied wax base, a uniform layer of salt is scattered. Upon heating of the plate, the salt decreases by melting the wax layer to the metal plate. In water, the salt dissolves and leaves in the top layer of a network of holes, through which the acid acts on the metal plate and generates a uniform reticular Flächenton.

Sandpaper aquatint

On a copper plate etching ground covered with a sand paper is placed and both rotated by the printing press. The etching ground is punctured, the acid bath can attack the metal. The result is doing a pointillist granulated surface.

Alcohol or craquelure aquatint

Resin is dissolved in alcohol ( ethanol) and poured onto the metal plate; the volatilization of the alcohol produced a lively network of cracks through which the acid bath can attack. The result is a lively Flächenton.

Reservage

If no deep etching to take place, you must first take place as an aquatint, a coating with rosin or asphalt. The Reservage used concentrated sugar and Gummiarabikumlösungen that are drawn with a brush on the metal plate. A defined above etching ground is blasted in hot water through the sugar -dissolving or swelling the rubber on the drawn points, which are thereby exposed to the etching. Overall, this method produces slightly rougher contours than other aquatint techniques.

Carborundum

Also referred to as resin aquatint or painter style. Here, silicon carbide ( carborundum ) or sand is mixed with resin and applied to the plate ( painted ). This creates a point grid without etching. The paint is applied to the plate and adheres to all the points at which the carborundum layer. Can be wiped off the paint on the bare areas of the printing plate. Carborundum prints are characterized by rich colors, as can adhere much color in the faces.