Aquatinta

Aquatint is an intaglio printmaking technique used to create broad tones and shading on a metal plate, rather than the stark lines of traditional etching. It achieves a watercolor-like effect by forming a granular resist that the acid can bite around, producing areas of tonal value when the plate is inked and printed.

In the standard process, a copper or zinc plate is prepared and a fine powder of rosin or another resin is sprinkled onto the plate. The resin is heated to adhere, forming a granular ground. The plate is then placed in an acid bath; the acid bites around the resin particles, creating a textured, stippled area that holds ink differently from the bare metal. Tone is controlled by the depth and extent of the bite, by layering additional resin to deepen areas, by stopping out parts of the plate with varnish to preserve lighter tones, or by combining aquatint with line etching or engraving to introduce contours and detail. Multiple applications of resin and successive acid baths can produce a full range of greys from light to dark.

Originating in the 18th century as a method for reproducing tonal shading more efficiently than engraving, aquatint quickly became widely used in Europe. It was employed by many artists to simulate wash-like effects and to achieve atmospheric, planar tonality in prints. Notable practitioners include Francisco Goya, who used aquatint in combination with other intaglio techniques to great effect, along with numerous French and British printmakers of the period. Today, aquatint remains a standard technique in contemporary printmaking, often used in tandem with other methods and adapted with modern materials.