Mezzotint

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful intro to a little-known technique
Review: Mezzotint is one of the least-known but most versatile of the intaglio printing processes. It is the only process that gives such delicate nuances of light and dark, the "mezzo" in its name. Even aquatint's tonal qualities are generally crude by comparison.

Wax first shows the technique of mezzotint process. It starts with a ground that prints beautiful, silky blacks. Unlike other printmaking techniques, the artist then makes lighter marks on this dark field. This technical information is very helpful when looking at actual mezzotints - it lets you read each mark in the print with better understanding.

Wax includes a huge gallery of mezzotint prints, her own and other printmakers'. The reproductions are very good. They show how the process evolved from a technique for reproducing other artwork into an art in itself. Something is always lost in photo reproductions of these prints, but Wax's gallery should be enough to entice you into wanting to see more.

This is the only book I know dedicated to this most unusual printmaking technique. I recommend it to any serious maker or afficionado of fine prints.

//wiredweird