How I make mezzotints
Mezzotint is the intaglio printmaking process in which the artist works from dark to light. The copper plate is first prepared using a mezzotint rocker, a chisel-like spiked tool, which is systematically worked over the copper plate until the surface is thoroughly roughened. The artist then creates the images with burnishers and scrapers, reducing or taking away the burrs created by the rocker. The burnished areas will be the lighter parts of the print. The copper plate is then inked up using stiff oil-based ink and printed on to paper on a printing press.
The technique of mezzotint was invented by a German Soldier in 1642 and became popuar in Victorian England for reproducing oil paintings. Night duty policemen were employed to do the laborious work of preparing the copper plates using the mezzotint rocker.
how I work
I never make preliminary drawings for my work, I work straight onto the copper plate. Paul Klee said “ doodle and see what happens” ,and that is the way I work.
I do not put titles on my work because I cannot describe them in words. it is up to the viewer to explore the images according to his or her imagination and experience.
Had I stayed in Japan I would never have made these prints.
In 1984 the Nissan plant was opened in Sunderland and this cartoon by brian McAllister appeared in the Guardian. I very much identify with this man.
