Drypoint Printmaking: The Process, History, and Techniques
- micric2020
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Discover how drypoint printmaking works, how it compares with etching, and why artists still love this expressive technique.
Printmaking has always had something magical about it: the moment when an inked plate and damp paper meet under the pressure of a press and reveal an image that was once only a scratch on a surface.
Among the many printmaking techniques artists use, drypoint printmaking is perhaps one of the most direct and expressive. It feels almost like drawing—except instead of pencil on paper, the artist draws into a plate.
I’ve had the pleasure of drypoint in the historic Tuscan medieval town of Barga, where the slow rhythm of the landscape and the stone streets seem perfectly suited to this contemplative process. Working there reminds you that printmaking, like the town itself, carries centuries of tradition.
What Is Drypoint Printmaking?
Drypoint is part of the intaglio family of printmaking techniques, where lines are scratched into a surface and ink sits in those recessed marks before printing.
Unlike some other printmaking methods, drypoint does not rely on acid or complex preparation. The artist simply scratches the image directly into the plate using a sharp tool.
This simplicity is part of what makes drypoint such an appealing technique for both beginners and experienced printmakers.
The History of Drypoint
Drypoint printmaking dates back to the late 15th century in Europe. The technique is believed to have been used by the mysterious German artist known as the Housebook Master.
Soon afterwards, artists such as Albrecht Dürer experimented with drypoint. However, it was the Dutch master Rembrandt who truly explored the expressive potential of the technique. Rembrandt often combined drypoint with etching and engraving to create rich textures and dramatic lighting in his prints.
Although the technique declined in popularity during the 18th century, drypoint experienced a revival in the 19th and 20th centuries and remains widely used by contemporary artists today.
How a Drypoint Image Is Created
Modern drypoint printmaking often uses acrylic (or perspex) plates, which are lightweight, affordable, and easy to scratch.
To create an image, the artist uses a drypoint needle or stylus to draw directly onto the plate. The tool scratches the surface and pushes the material aside, creating a tiny raised ridge along the line called a burr.
The burr is what makes drypoint unique.
Because it holds extra ink, the burr produces the soft, velvety lines that are characteristic of drypoint prints. Instead of sharp engraved lines, the result feels closer to an expressive drawing.
Artists can vary the depth and pressure of the tool to create lighter or darker lines and build up tone using cross-hatching and layered marks.
Inking a Drypoint Plate
Once the drawing is complete, the plate is covered with etching ink.
The ink is pushed across the plate so that it fills every scratched line and burr. Afterward, the surface of the plate is wiped carefully using cloth or tarlatan.
This wiping stage removes ink from the smooth areas while leaving ink inside the scratched lines.
Wiping is one of the most delicate parts of the process. Too much pressure can flatten the burr and weaken the line, while too little wiping can leave unwanted ink on the plate surface.
Each print requires this entire process again: inking, wiping, and printing.
Printing the Image
Drypoint prints are created using an etching press.
Before printing, the paper is dampened by soaking it briefly in water and then blotting it so it remains moist rather than wet. Damp paper is softer and more flexible, allowing it to press into the scratched lines and pick up the ink.
The plate is placed on the press bed, the damp paper laid carefully on top, and thick blankets are placed over it. As the press rolls forward, the pressure transfers the ink from the plate onto the paper.
When the paper is lifted away, the printed image appears as a mirror of the original drawing.
Best Paper for Drypoint Printmaking
Choosing the right paper is important for drypoint.
Soft, heavyweight cotton rag printmaking papers work best because they can absorb ink and mould into the plate’s surface.
Popular choices include:
- Somerset paper
- Fabriano printmaking paper
- Other heavyweight etching papers
These papers are strong enough to withstand the pressure of the press while still capturing the subtle detail created by the burr.
Drypoint vs Etching
Drypoint and etching are closely related printmaking techniques, but the way the lines are created is different.
Feature | Drypoint | Etching |
Line creation | Scratched directly into the plate | Drawn through a ground and etched using acid |
Line quality | Soft and velvety | Clean and precise |
Edition size | Smaller | Larger editions possible |
Process | Direct drawing | Multi-step chemical process |
Because the burr in drypoint gradually wears down under the pressure of the press, the lines become lighter after repeated printing. This means drypoint prints are often produced in smaller editions.
Early prints from a plate are therefore often the richest and most sought after.
Subjects That Work Well in Drypoint
Drypoint’s expressive line makes it particularly suited to certain types of imagery. Artists often use drypoint for:
- Portraits and figure studies
- Landscapes
- Architectural sketches
- Atmospheric scenes
- Expressive drawings
Subjects that benefit from soft textures, shadows, and loose line work tend to work especially well with this technique.
Practicing Drypoint in Barga
Practicing drypoint in the Tuscan town of Barga brings an added layer of inspiration.
This medieval hill town is full of narrow streets, terracotta rooftops, and dramatic views of the surrounding mountains. These elements translate beautifully into the textured lines of drypoint prints.
The rhythm of life in Barga also mirrors the pace of printmaking: careful drawing, patient inking and wiping, and the anticipation of revealing the final print.
In a place where history is etched into stone walls and centuries-old buildings, the process of scratching lines into a plate feels perfectly at home.
Why Artists Still Love Drypoint
Despite the development of many modern printmaking techniques, drypoint remains popular because it combines:
- The directness of drawing
- The richness of intaglio printing
- The distinctive softness of the burr line
With just a sharp needle, an acrylic plate, ink, and paper, an artist can create prints that feel spontaneous, textured, and deeply expressive.
It’s a simple technique with remarkable character—one that continues to inspire artists centuries after it first appeared.
The Quattro Archi Drypoint Masterclass with masterprintmaker Michael Waight is available to book now. 19-25th June 2026. See the Quattro Archi website for more information and to book your place.
Comments