printmaking - intaglio

intaglio prints involve carving or etching a design onto a surface, like a metal plate or plastic.

Ink is then applied to the surface and wiped off, leaving the ink only in the carved lines. When paper is pressed onto the plate, using a printmaking press with lots of pressure, it picks up the ink from the carved grooves.

Aquatint is a type of intaglio process that produces tonal variations, as opposed to line-based marks by using acid to eat into the printing plate.

An example of an intaglio print that combines etching and aquatint techniques is, The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters by Francisco de Goya.

Francisco de Goya, The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters, 1799, acquating, 21.5 cm × 15 cm.

just try it!

Try making an intaglio print by carving a simple design onto a styrofoam board or the flat side of a disposable foam food container. Cover the carved part with ink (you can use washable markers), press paper on top, and see what happens!