So you have heard the words ‘drypoint etching’… but you are maybe now think what is it? Well, in this blog post I will be talking (reading for you) you through what this printmaking process is, and how do I use it to create my fine art drypoint prints.

What is Drypoint Etching?

Well, drypoint etching is a printmaking technique that involves using a sharp tool called a burin (or metal pencil) to scratch/etch lines directly into a plate, typically made of copper or zinc. However with modern materials some artists, like myself, use a sheet of acrylic. The lines created through this process are more textured and less precise than those made through other etching techniques that use acid or other chemicals. The depth and pressure of the lines created in drypoint etching determine the darkness and texture of the final image.

Drypoint etching process from initial printing plate to finished print — Pic 1: Etching the plate over original sketch. Pic 2: Finished drypoint etched plate. Pic 3: Inking up the printing plate. Pic 4: Laying the inked up plate onto the printing press ready to print.

How do you print the plate?

Once the image is complete, the plate is inked and wiped, this removing the excess ink on the flat surface of the plate, leaving ink only in the grooves created by the burin. The plate is then placed on a printing press, and paper is carefully laid on top of it. Pressure is applied to the plate and paper, transferring the ink onto the paper and creating the final image. You can see my full drypoint etching process in this video that I created.

Many of my drypoint etching prints contain more than one colour. For this, as shown in the drypoint etching video, I carefully apply all the individual colours to the plate at the same time. Often using a recyclable cotton bud for the tiny details. Once all the colours are applied to my plate I then carefully work to remove the excess ink using cotton rags, recyclable cotton buds and tissue paper. The reason for this is that I have more control over how much the different colours then bleed into each other.

Drypoint etching is a time-consuming and technically challenging process, but it allows artists to create unique, expressive images that capture the energy of their hand and the pressure they applied to the burin.

For many of my multi coloured drypoint prints the process for printing each print in the edition can take up to one and over 1 hour per print. My beloved Life Cycle print as shown above, being the prime example. Drypoint etching for me is a true labor of love, inspiring me to look closer at the beautiful nature growing wild and free in my local countryside, enabling me to try new techniques to challenge my abilities.