ART OF AQUATINT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 262, 3 August 1939, Page 3

ART OF AQUATINT

Lecture To Sketch Club z\ lecture and demonstration on the art 0£ aquatint was given- recently to members of the W oiling ton Sketch Club by Mr. Harry 11. Tombs. Aquatint is a process of etching for tone instead of line and many fine examples by Mr. Tombs, showing the various stages from working sketch to finished print, were exhibited. A polished copper plate on widen the outlines of a landscape subject had been lightly etched was first placed in a contrivance known as a ‘ dust box." In this box, powdered resin was allowed to settle in an even eoatmg over the plate, which was later heated so that the resin adhered to it. After an acid-proof varnish had been coated on the back and sides of the plate, a spirit varnish was painted over those parts of the landscape, which it was desired it should be left white. The plate was then placed in a bath of diluted nitric acid till the next lighter shade desired, had bi-en bitten between the grains of the resin. It was then removed, dried, the process repeated for the next tone, and so <>u till seven tones were finished, the darkest tone being last. The resin was then removed, the plate inked, and by the use of an etching press, a print on dani|»ed paper was obtained. Mr. Tombs showed that aquatint Is capable of producing interesting and beautiful effects, anil ns a number of members are keenly Interested, and a press has been acquired, the club hopes to have regular evenings when plates and prints can be discussed and aquatints, di'ypaints, and etchings uriiiteri.