Andy No. 2, 7/7

Drypoint Etching, 2" x 3 $55.00 Bid Here

This is an image that I have gone back to several

times - which seems to be a habit that I have. If

I didn't know that it was/is common among other

artists, I'd worry about it. But some images just

sort of grab you and don't let go. This guy was

a model for my classes for a while. He was unusal,

and that is all I'll say about him. But his face in this

image has something transcendent about it, and I

was happy with the way that I caught that. I also

like the burr in his hair.

For those of you who are not that familiar with drypoint,

it is a demanding medium, that differs from etching, in that

you draw directly on the bare plate with a diamond or

carbide steel point. There is never any acid involved. Any

tone, line variation, texture, etc., all that has to be produced

with the point of your instrument. It takes a lot of practice. I have

taught many people to do it, and have found that some people are

naturally skilled in it, yet for others, it is a struggle they eventually

master if they keep at it.

People who do a lot of graphite drawing find drypoint etching

rather natural, so if you think you might be interested in doing

this, that's what you should be doing to prepare for it. Or course

you need an etching press , and printmaking paper, and ink to print

the plate. Editions from drypoint plates are not large, because the

burr (the piece of metal that is kicked up along side of the line that

you draw through the metal surface - that would be cut off by an engraver,

for instance) wears down a bit with the pressure of every printing.

Twenty prints is a large edition for drypoints!