Art Encyclopedia - Aquatint

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Aquatint
Aquatint is an Intaglio printmaking technique where marks are made on a copper or zinc plate capable of holding ink. The inked plate is passed through a printing press with a sheet of paper with the ink transferring to the piece of paper.

Marks are made in the metal plate with the application of acid; in etching a needle is used to make lines but in aquatint powdered resin which is acid resistant is used to create tonal effects. Tonal variation is controlled by the level of acid exposure over large areas. Aquatints provide ease in creating large areas of tone without laborious cross-hatching.