Mezzotint [Paperback]

Carol Wax (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Mezzotint is an intaglio printmaking process particularly suited to the rendering of tonal gradations that was used from the 17th through the 19th centuries to create reproductions of paintings. With the widespread adoption of photographic reproductive methods, mezzotint use shifted to the creation of original images. Wax, who is a mezzotint artist, has combined a history of mezzotint with instructions for artists who wish to work in mezzotint today. Like the mezzotint process, Wax's text is painstaking and requires patience to complete, but she provides a wealth of information on one of today's lesser-known printmaking processes. The volume is well illustrated and is suitable for interested laypersons and art historians as well as practicing artists.
- Kathryn W. Finkelstein, M.Ln., Cincinnati
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (March 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810926490
• ISBN-13: 978-0810926493
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #622,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful intro to a little-known technique, August 9, 2004

By 

wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Mezzotint (Paperback)

Mezzotint is one of the least-known but most versatile of the intaglio printing processes. It is the only process that gives such delicate nuances of light and dark, the "mezzo" in its name. Even aquatint's tonal qualities are generally crude by comparison.

Wax first shows the technique of mezzotint process. It starts with a ground that prints beautiful, silky blacks. Unlike other printmaking techniques, the artist then makes lighter marks on this dark field. This technical information is very helpful when looking at actual mezzotints - it lets you read each mark in the print with better understanding.

Wax includes a huge gallery of mezzotint prints, her own and other printmakers'. The reproductions are very good. They show how the process evolved from a technique for reproducing other artwork into an art in itself. Something is always lost in photo reproductions of these prints, but Wax's gallery should be enough to entice you into wanting to see more.

This is the only book I know dedicated to this most unusual printmaking technique. I recommend it to any serious maker or afficionado of fine prints.

//wiredweird

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible for the Mezzotint, December 12, 2007

By 

Jeffrey C. Gusfield "writer" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mezzotint (Paperback)

Not only is Carol Wax one of the greatest mezzotint artists alive, she has written the best history and lexicon for this fine and old printmaking technique. Reading this book will either make you want to make a mezzotint or purchase one.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book arrived in excellent condition., June 24, 2010

By 

M. Ritayik - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mezzotint (Paperback)

This book was very hard to find and when I did it was too costly. Amazon had it, I ordered it and it came in execllent condition - looked brand new. I was very pleased with the product, it's delivery and price. Thanks