Colour into line
Turner's engravers had to produce complex patterns of black line which, when printed onto white paper, could convey the impression of colour. They used many skilful techniques and tricks to 'translate' colours into a language based on tone. Deep colours such as blue appeared dark, whilst lighter colours such as yellow would be created using white. Mid-tones such aas red might be black or white, according to the emphasis placed within Turner's picture.
Joseph Mallord William Turner
Study for Drawing of Richmond Terrace circa 1820-30
Watercolour on paper
Bequeathed by the artist 1856
[+] view this work in the Collection
after Joseph Mallord William Turner
Richmond Terrace, Surrey 1838
Etching and engraving on paper
Purchased 1986
[+] view this work in the Collection
Joseph Mallord William Turner
?Compositional, Colour and Underpainting Study for `Crickieth Castle, North Wales' ?1836
Watercolour, gouache and pencil on paper
Bequeathed by the artist 1856
[+] view this work in the Collection
after Joseph Mallord William Turner
Crickieth Castle, North Wales 1837
Line engraving on paper
Purchased 1986
[+] view this work in the Collection
'he that impresses the observation or stimulates the Associate idea of a colour individually is the great artist' JMW Turner