Aquatint

Aquatint is an intaglio printmaking technique that produces tonal areas resembling ink washes or watercolour. In a traditional method, fine resin powder is distributed over a metal plate. The resin grains protect small parts of the metal while acid bites between them. The etched recesses retain printing ink.

Combining tone and line

Different biting times and stopping out selected areas can produce lighter and darker passages. Aquatint can be combined with etched or engraved lines. A description such as “etching and aquatint” therefore identifies more than one process within the image. Mezzotint also creates tonal areas, but relies on mechanical working of the plate.

What should be documented?

A watercolour-like appearance alone does not establish the technique. When having a print assessed, photograph the whole sheet, signatures, lettering in the margins and any labels. As a practical example, a note on the reverse may be useful information without proving who made the image. Record labels before considering their removal.

Explore prints or discuss a sale

Browse prints and graphic art for current works. If you wish to sell a picture, send photographs and details through OBA’s page for household and estate enquiries.