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Cast of Characters
Timeline
Printmaking
Ruskin v Whistler
In the Collection
Whistler's Printmaking Techniques
 Etching
Drypoint
Inking/Paper
Lithography
Transfer lithography
Lithotint
Printmaking was particularly important to Whistler.
At crucial moments in his career, he transferred his experimentation from paint to etching and lithography.
Etching
Etchings are produced on thin copper plates, which are covered by
a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist draws on this surface
with an etching needle, exposing fine lines of metal which are 'bitten'
by immersing the plate in acid. Printing ink is pressed into the
incised lines, but wiped away from the flat surface. A powerful
press will squeeze the ink onto a sheet of paper.
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Drypoint
Whistler also used drypoint: lines scratched directly into the plate,
without using acid. The rough edges print soft, fuzzy lines.
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Inking and Paper
Instead of simply wiping the unetched areas of his plates clean,
Whistler would leave carefully-controlled films of ink in different
places, changing lighting effects and the fall of shadows. He also
varied the colour of his inks, using them with a range of papers
which produced further subtly different effects.
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Lithography
Using specially-prepared slabs of limestone, the artist draws an
image in a greasy medium such as lithographic chalk. If dampened
with water, areas of the stone untouched by this medium will repel
printing ink; ink applied with a roller will stick only to the greasy
areas drawn by the artist. These can be transferred to paper in
a printing press.
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Transfer lithography
The processes of printing will reverse an image drawn on the plate
or stone. Images drawn on transfer paper will be reversed when transferred
to a lithographic stone, and reversed again when printed, finally
appearing the right way round. Transfer paper was also more convenient
to work on than heavy slab of stone.
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Lithotint
Whistler used a liquid lithographic medium known as 'tusche', which
he applied to the stone with a brush, simulating the appearance
of watercolour washes and producing extraordinarily delicate effects.
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