Mezzotint with Stuart Duffin RSA, for Glasgow Print Studio Learning

Filmed by workshop assistant, Kerry Douglas, in the Glasgow Print Studio professional workshop. Stuart Duffin demonstrates the process of mezzotint.

[@fbpliegorrivero8869]

Magnificent! Fine work indeed!

[@lian7092]

very good example , thank you , and you sure got one cool studio for printing

[@NKTN_Sketch]

Жёсткий тип 😊 плюсанул

[@richardnorman7045]

If you’re not happy with the result/tones can you work the copper plate again with the tools?

[@kiti948]

yes, you can print it how many times you want

[@LeventTosun]

HARİKA👋👋👋👋 Kanalınızı takibe aldım.

[@TheCartoonCowboy]

Are there any courses for this in glasgow? I checked the Glasgow Print Studio and there's none.

[@toddtremeer7057]

How are you flattening the mezzotint as the paper and ink dries? It looks like your taping it down with brown gummed tape? It looks like you're taping both the frontside and backside?

[@stuartduffin2317]

Yes. We have such a high turnover of printmaking at GPS that flattening under weights would be a bit chaotic. Tape it down like you would damp watercolour paper and then tear off the dried gumstrip along with a wee bit of,the printing paper using a steel ruler (and do it from the back)

[@huyked]

I had no idea engravings could have such good shading till today! OMG! Instead of the rocker method of mezzotinting, could you have created that base layer by just sandblasting the surface?

[@paulklee5790]

No, unfortunately not. Nor with even a good aquatint background, the burr on a mezzotint is just about unique, no strike that, is unique. The whole process requires patience and precision. Seems the way to do it was mapped out in the 19c and has never been bettered, or simplified either for that matter! Still don’t be put off, the results are pretty magical…

[@huyked]

@@paulklee5790 After taking a look at the video again, I can see the texture left behind leaves some non-disturbed "clean", untouched shiny, speckled area. I imagine with sandblasting, it would all be matte. So, as with a lot of things in life, there are no shortcuts if we want it done right... short of hiring someone else (a competent one) to do it for us. Haha! :D Thank you for the reply!

[@masonpaider]

what kind of ink do you use

[@paulklee5790]

Ordinary etching ink but usually slightly thicker than you would use for a line engraving….

[@stuartduffin2317]

For this I used graphic chemical bone black. 👍

[@ajones747]

Hours and hours of unnecessary work.

[@elmerkilred159]

Why is it unnecessary?

[@MapedMod]

​@@elmerkilred159because some people are to dumb or cheap to appreciate craftsmanship and art. I paint murals professionally and I am often asked by people passing by "why did you not print it on a wallpaper?" And it is genuine. For them the effect is the same and process doesn't matter.