(3) The best way to ink-in an intaglio design is to rub it in at first
with a somewhat firm color that however, contains enough gum, then to
wipe it a bit, and after that to rub gently to and fro over the stone
under gentle pressure, with a rag containing a less heavy color. A
firmer color does not adhere well to the more delicate lines, or, at
least, is hard to print; but by applying it first, the printing of the
wider and deeper lines is facilitated, while the succeeding rubbing with
softer color brings out the perfection of the finer lines.
The second rag with the lighter color must not be filled with it in
mass, but should merely be made sooty with it, so to speak. Otherwise
the lighter color would penetrate the deeper lines also and mix there
with the heavier color.
In the end the stone must be wiped again with an entirely clean rag, as
will be understood, of course, and thoroughly cleansed of all the
color.
II
THE ETCHED METHOD
In this the design is not engraved into the stone by pressure of the
hand, but with aquafortis or other acid, and only so much pressure is
exerted in making the design as is required to cut through the thin
coating of varnish with which the stone is covered. Therefore this
method permits great freedom of action and is applicable especially for
landscape work and for drawings in Rembrandt's style. In treatment as in
effect it resembles copper plate, and has its own advantage in that the
lines may be strengthened gradually by stronger pressure on the
engraving-needle. They may even be engraved a little into the stone so
that afterward the lines will become stronger under etching. This cannot
be done with copper at all or only with great difficulty.
These considerations and the quicker printing permitted by it recommend
the method to artists. In other respects it is not different from
working on copper. But it is necessary that a good lithographer should
be a master of this form of stone work, as it may be used for excellent
work, not only by itself but in combination with the other methods.
The stone must be ground as smoothly as possible, then treated with
aquafortis and coated with gum, so that its surface thus is completely
prepared. The aquafortis may be as strong as that used for etching pen
work. It suffices, also, to wipe the plate merely with a sponge dipped
in stronger aquafortis, the chief point being that no roughnesses shall
be caused by uneven etching.
A few minutes after this first operation is finished, the stone is
rinsed with water, dried and coated with etching-ground. This can be
best done as follows:--
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