Aquatint

Aquatint is an intaglio printmaking process used to create areas of tone rather than line. The metal plate is dusted with fine particles of resin, which settle across the surface and are then heated to adhere to the metal. When the plate is placed in an acid bath, the acid bites into the exposed metal between the resin grains, producing a finely textured surface capable of holding ink.

By controlling how long the plate remains in the acid, the artist determines the depth of the bite and therefore the darkness of the printed tone. The process can be repeated multiple times, with areas stopped out to preserve lighter passages, allowing for subtle gradations from pale washes to dense shadow.

Once prepared, the plate is inked and wiped so that ink remains in the etched texture. Dampened paper is laid over the plate and passed through a press under pressure, transferring the ink to the sheet. Aquatint is often combined with line-based techniques, expanding its tonal range.

A variation known as spitbite involves applying diluted acid directly onto the aquatint ground, creating fluid, unpredictable tonal effects. The resulting prints are recognised for their grainy surface, atmospheric depth, and painterly quality.