Lesson video

Hi, I'm Miss Blue, and I'm really excited to be learning with you today.

I hope you find our lesson as interesting as I do.

Let's get started.

The outcome of this lesson is: "I can create an intaglio print that shows depth and detail through the use of line, tone, and inking technique.

" Let's go over our keywords.

Intaglio: a printmaking process where lines are incised into a surface to hold ink.

Plate: the surface, metal, card, or plastic used to incise a design for printing.

Burin: a sharp engraving tool used to cut lines into a plate.

Impression: the final printed image transferred from plate to paper.

Let's start with an introduction to intaglio.

Intaglio is a printmaking technique where ink sits in incised recesses or inside carved lines rather than raised surfaces.

Here's an example of a horse intaglio on the left.

When paper is pressed into the plate, it picks up the ink from these grooves.

The process creates detailed and textured prints with fine, intricate lines.

While relief printing transfers ink from the raised surface of a block, intaglio transfers ink from the recessed lines.

This opposite process explains why intaglio prints can achieve such fine details.

Have a look at these birds on the left.

I love how it's captured the fine details of their feathers.

Intaglio printing allows artists to achieve precision, depth, and a wide tonal range.

Lines can be varied in thickness, and wiping techniques alter the richness of tones.

This makes it ideal for both artistic and graphic communication.

Does this process interest you yet?

Intaglio is such a beautiful printmaking process to me because it allows for such rich and detailed prints.

I think it's loved by an array of different artists because it allows for this amazing level of control.

I love how you can make fine, delicate marks or bold, dark ones, depending on how deeply you cut or how much ink you leave on the plate.

The results seem to give such depth and texture that it feels almost three-dimensional, giving the image a special kind of life, like this bird on the left.

It's as if, through peering into its eyes, you could know its story.

Even though it's on a plain 2D background, it feels whole and real.

I'd argue that intaglio lends itself especially to graphic work because it captures all of these tiny gestures and marks, which will be eye-catching on a billboard or on a computer screen.

It's a process that communicates emotion, movement, and atmosphere through line alone.

Each print feels like a record of the artist's hand and energy.

Here you can see a selection of intaglio printmaking tools.

Do you recognize any of them?

On the left, we have a burin.

Wiping tools: sponge, cotton bud, and cheesecloth.

On the right, we have a printing press and the plate.

An intaglio plate can be used multiple times if taken care of.

One of the most common plates is made of metal.

Which of the following describes intaglio printmaking?

Is it: A, intaglio uses raised surfaces; B, intaglio uses incised recesses; C, intaglio plates can only be used once; or D, intaglio plates can be used multiple times?

Pause the video while you decide on the correct answers.

If you said B and C, you would be correct.

Intaglio uses incised recesses, and the plates can be used multiple times.

Well done for paying attention.

Many artists have used intaglio to create dramatic and detailed works.

Looking at examples of intaglio prints shows how powerful line and tone can be in telling a story or creating atmosphere.

The portrait on the left seems to tell a mythological story.

The intaglio process lends itself to this mythic quality.

It seems dramatic and detailed.

Many artists and printmakers have explored intaglio.

Rembrandt van Rijn was one of the most influential printmakers in history.

He used intaglio to achieve dramatic light, shadow, and texture in his etchings.

Fay Pomerance was a mid-20th-century artist who worked with etching and printmaking.

She often used printmaking to explore mystical and symbolic imagery.

Ronnie Tjampitjinpa is known for his striking linear and geometric designs, which draw on sacred Dreamtime stories and cultural traditions.

He uses painting and printmaking to explore them.

When designing or sketching for an intaglio plate, it's important to experiment of line variation and tonal range.

Intaglio allows you to work with fine details and textures that are different to other printmaking methods, and this process will help you to create a visually interesting piece.

I would argue that intaglio is one of the best processes for capturing variation and tonal range.

I think it allows for a real contrast between light and dark, giving a rich tonal quality that's created by thicker or thinner lines.

It adds a layer of depth and emotion to the image.

Like the artwork on the left of the stones, it feels as if you could reach into the stones and touch them.

I can almost hear what they'd sound like through the print.

In my own experience of etching, I focused on capturing the delicate details of a dried leaf.

I was quite focused on the fine veins, soft folds, and any tiny imperfections I found by peering at it closely.

I realized that through using lighter or shallow lines alongside deeper, more defined ones, I was able to show both the fragility and the strength of its structure.

Once printed, those variations created a sense of movement and realism.

It felt as if the leaf was almost breathing.

You can transfer your design directly onto an intaglio plate by placing the drawing face down and running it through a printing press.

Using transfer paper.

Using transfer paper to trace the design onto the plate, or copying the drawing onto the plate.

Consider which method you will use before drawing, as you might transfer it directly onto the plate, which will need to be the same size.

Pause the video while you plan this out.

Let's test your knowledge.

Which quality is most important when sketching designs for an intaglio plate?

Is it: A, line variation and tonal range; B, bright colors; C, symmetry and repetition; or D, large shapes without detail?

Pause the video while you decide on the correct answer.

If you said A, you would be correct.

Line variation and tonal range are the most important things when sketching designs for an intaglio plate.

Your task now is to create a design for your intaglio plate that uses varied lines and tonal areas.

Focus on textures, patterns, and contrasts rather than large, flat shapes.

Pause the video here while you work on the task.

There are many possible outcomes.

You might have said something like Sam.

He says, "I created this design using a photo of a pepper as a reference picture.

I tried to build tonal areas up through hatched lines, and this will translate well as an intaglio print.

" This is a great outcome on the right.

I love the tonal quality of the light and dark areas.

It makes it look more three-dimensional and realistic.

Now let's focus on techniques for intaglio printing.

Intaglio printing traditionally uses metal plates to draw into, however, you might use: clear acetate or Plexiglass, or Tetra Pak juice cartons.

I wonder if you've got any of those around you.

One of my first experiments with intaglio stemmed from pure curiosity.

I'd found a leftover juice carton in the recycling bin at home and on a whim decided to turn it into a printmaking plate.

I wasn't expecting anything in particular, but after peeling it open and scratching a quick sketch into the metallic side with a blunt pencil, using the back of a spoon as a burin.

When I lifted the paper, the image was there: crisp, moody, and incredibly detailed.

My next experiment was more thought-through.

I wanted to create a city skyline onto the surface and made sure I pressed just hard enough to make grooves without tearing through and rubbed block printing ink into the etched lines, wiping off the excess.

I added different layers to create contrast and was amazed at how sharp and clear the lines were.

Trace your design onto an intaglio plate by drawing on top with firm pressure.

You can see how this person has traced around their design onto the back of a juice carton.

It looks like they've gone over it so that the recesses are deeper.

When working with sharp tools, it's important to handle them with care.

Keep hands away from the cutting line and work slowly to avoid slips.

Burins and lino carving tools are very sharp and can cause injury if misused.

I myself have been victim to a lino carving tool cut.

You definitely have to exercise patience and embrace the slow and meditative process.

Safety ensures precision and confidence in your work.

This intaglio print on the right-hand side looks quite simple at first.

If you look at it more closely, it's incredibly detailed with lots of tiny markings that emulate the leaf structures.

I think the metallic quality lends itself well because it draws your eye to the magic of these lines.

It's even more eye-catching on the cardboard surface.

Use a burin or needle to carefully cut your design into the plate.

You can use a craft knife to peel away the darkest areas.

Deeper cuts hold more ink, creating darker lines, while shallow cuts produce finer detail.

Think about how line depth affects tone.

Pause the video while you think about this.

Many contemporary artists continue to experiment with intaglio printmaking.

Such as: Caledonia Curry, AKA Swoon, is a contemporary printmaker and street artist.

He uses large-scale woodcuts and intaglio-inspired techniques.

Her work often depicts social issues and personal storytelling.

Glenn Ligon's text-based etchings and prints explore race, language, and identity.

His intaglio works often blur legibility, forcing viewers to consider their meaning.

Sunnu Rebecca Choi combines printmaking with mixed-media approaches.

Choi explores identity, migration, and cultural memory through layered surfaces and experimental processes.

Why is safe handling of a burin or etching tool important?

A, they're fragile and break easily; B, they must be kept clean for the ink to stick; C, they're sharp and can cause injury if misused; or D, they are expensive and hard to replace?

Pause the video while you decide on the correct answer.

If you said C, you'd be correct.

Safe handling of the burin or etching tool is very important because they're sharp and can cause injury if not used correctly.

Once you've finished drawing into the intaglio plate, it's time to apply the ink.

This person has used a colorful ink on the left.

Oil-based printing ink is spread across the surface of the plate, then pushed into the incised lines.

At this stage, the plate may look very messy, but don't worry, wiping will reveal your design.

The key to intaglio is wiping correctly using a rag or cloth.

You can see how the person is demonstrating on the left.

Too much wiping removes ink from the grooves, resulting in a faint print; too little wiping leaves the surface dirty.

It's important to use a clean rag or cloth, otherwise, your print could become contaminated.

Aim for a balance that preserves details and provides depth.

Intaglio prints work best on slightly dampened paper.

The moisture helps the fibers press deeply into the incised lines to pull out the ink.

Make sure you prepare the paper before printing.

You might find that a spray bottle can help, or perhaps a damp sponge.

To use the printing press and create your first impression, place your inked plate face-up on the press bed.

Lay the damp paper on top and cover it with blankets.

The pressure pushes the paper into the grooves, transferring the ink to create an impression.

The first print impression is a test.

Look at how well the lines and tones have transferred.

It looks almost lifelike.

Use this to decide if you need to deepen lines or adjust the inking or wiping technique.

Discuss with a partner if you need to change anything in your process before making another impression.

Pause the video while you do this.

Izzy says, "Looking at the first impression, I think I haven't included enough line variation.

I will add more lines with the burin before making a second impression.

" Sam says, "My impression has a lot of tonal depth, but there is still a lot of ink in areas where there shouldn't be, so I will spend some time wiping it back.

" Let's test your knowledge.

The printed image transferred onto paper through intaglio printing is known as: A, artifact; B, inkling; C, expression; or D, impression?

Pause the video while you decide on the correct answer.

If you said D, you would be correct.

The printed image transferred onto paper through intaglio printing is known as an impression.

Your task now is to create your own intaglio print using your designed plate.

Experiment with wiping and inking to produce different tonal effects.

Remember, this doesn't have to be perfect.

It's just a chance to practice the technique and hopefully master it with time to come.

Pause the video while you work on this task.

Let's see what Sam has created.

Sam says, "I made this intaglio print impression by transferring my drawing onto a metal plate.

I used a burin to create scored lines into the plate before inking, wiping, and running it through the printing press.

" This is a really successful outcome, and I love the use of blue ink.

It showcases the tonal quality really well.

Let's see another example.

Sam goes on to say, "After I made the first impression, the same intaglio plate still held some ink.

I used this to create a second impression known as a ghost print.

I love how much repetition we can get from one plate.

" The use of color is really interesting in these three examples.

I love how the emphasis has moved from the foreground to the background.

Let's see a final example from Sam.

Finally, he says, "I digitally scanned in my print impressions and used adjustment settings to change the colors and contrast for another effect.

" It's always a great idea to experiment further with your designs using technology.

Things like Photoshop and even on simple computer programs, such as PowerPoint or Canva, can allow you to get a range of quick effects and outcomes, opening up the realm of possibilities.

To summarize, intaglio creates depth by holding ink in recessed lines in a plate.

Varying pressure and line quality impacts detail and tonal range.

Inking and wiping methods change the clarity and richness of print impressions.

Safe tool use with burins is essential when cutting plates.

Thank you so much for listening and paying attention in this video.

I hope you had fun and learned something new along the way.

See you next time.