From a photo I took in Porto in November 06.
Drypoint is a printmaking technique of the intaglio family, in which an image is incised onto a plate (in this case aluminium, roughly A4 size) by scratching the surface with a hard metal point. I used a stanley knife - Nothing like the correct tool (which resembles a pencil), but it was the only useable tool i had!).
The metal plate is then coated with ink, and the excess wiped off to leave ink only in the scratches, and as a 'plate tone'.
The plate and paper are then run through a roller press to transfer the image onto the paper. Of course, the result is a mirror image of the plate, which makes any writing rather tricky!
This technique is different from engraving, in which incisions are by gauging. While engraved lines are smooth and hard-edged, drypoint scratching leaves a rough burr at the edges of each line. This burr gives drypoint prints a characteristically soft, and sometimes blurry, line quality.
Because the pressure of the roller press quickly destroys the burr, drypoint is useful for only very small editions.
Many thanks to Margaret at the Leinster Print Studio for her time teaching me how to do this, and the use of her equipment.!
