Drypoint help...

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1053 Location: Queensland

I have done drypoint before, we did on on perspecs and I used a dremel -a handheld tool can perform drilling, grinding, sharpening, cutting, cleaning, polishing, sanding, routing, carving and engraving (a cheats way of doing it)rather than marticulously scratching into the surface.

Now our class has tried something different to use as the drypoint plate -acetate sheets glued onto cardboard. It works. The others in my class have been successful in their prints. I think I am doing something wrong in the wiping off ink process? When I print, the area of incised line which should be black is white. Therefore the ink was not in the line. But before I print it looks like there is ink in the line.

Any hints or tips for a better more successful print?

jet_james · Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 36 Location: Capricorn Coast

I would suggest geting a thick piece of card, around the size of your palm. Scrap the ink into the textures then polish off.
There are few variables in the process that can affect the result of the print.

-The flow of ink ( how much gel solvent was mixed into the ink)
-The quality of paper and how long have you soaked it in water.
-Pressure used from the printing press. etc

Good luck,and experiment Smile

belle · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: Newcastle

A few possibilities. Are you really forcing the ink into the scratches? A dobber is good for this. I have used cardboard as well. Secondly, are you perhaps being a bit rough taking ink off and taking ink out of scratches. Use old telephone book pages and only use the side of your hand (the flat edge) to take off top surface only. It can be a long process and takes a lot of paper. Only use flat paper, not screwed up. Are some of you scratches very wide allowing them to be wiped out?
Sometimes ink looks like it is in the line because it is clinging to the burr on the edge.
That's all I can think of at the moment. Good luck

charlie_bruno · Joined: 10 May 2007 Posts: 44

Are you softening your paper with water 1st?

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1053 Location: Queensland

Thanks for your replys guys. Since continuing on with the module I have found that at first sometimes my paper was too wet, I was wiping back too much ink. I find using the tarlitan first to wipe back until you see a "transparent" layer of ink means you have wiped back enough to than use the paper to get that excess layer off the surface, I also have too much easy wipe compound in the ink mixture. So after finding out all of this with experimenting I think I finally mastered it (well thats an exaggeration). I have produced satisfactory prints. I will post them shortly.

Cheers Chrissy