Etching, Engraving and Other Intaglio Printmaking Techniques (Paperback)

by Ruth Leaf (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Thorough, comprehensive handbook covers materials and equipment, tools, printing papers, presses and other essentials. Detailed instructions for etching (hard ground, soft ground, aquatint, sugar lift, etc.), engraving, drypoint, collagraphs, tuilegraphs and the Blake transfer method. Profusely illustrated; also includes bibliography and updated list of suppliers. "...excellent, step-by-step comprehensive outline...superbly organized..."—AB Bookman’s Weekly.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (October 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048624721X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486247212
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #508,573 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big value for little money!, June 22, 2000

By A Customer

This book is stocked as reference in a classroom situation. Lots of detailed information on many techniques in an easy to follow manner along with detailed photographs. Detailed recipes for etching solutions and description of appropriate use. Great for the novice but also valuable as a reference. Lots of valuable information for a small price.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding text, August 10, 2007

By	wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

Leaf's text covers a remarkable range of intaglio techniques. The first chapters cover the basics of tools, printing papers, and setting up a workshop. Next, she covers the basics of familiar printmaking techniques, etching (including soft ground), aquatint, and some interesting variations. This section also includes recipes for inks and grounds - not encyclopedic, but a basic set of materials for different techniques. Leaf covers each technique methodically, describing its goals, materials, and process. The end of each chapter offers an especially helpful "what went wrong" section.

Following the basics, Leaf continues with some elaborations, including multiple layers of aquatint and viscosity printing. She also lays out some unusual techniques, including collographs and "tuilegraphs." That's a fascinating variation on linoleum prints, but based on slightly different materials and very distinctive ways of creating the image in the printing surface.

Despite its strengths, this book has a few significant weak spots. Safety standards aren't always what a current reader would hope. For example, discussion of the corrosive etchants talks about flushing eyes with water in case of an acid spash, but doesn't mention goggles. Elsewhere, she mentions protective gloves in the text but omits those gloves from the photos that show the process under discussion. And, when it comes to disposing of spent etchant, I can't agree with pouring "neutralized acid on the ground where you don't expect anything to grow." On the positive side, techniques are profusely illustrated, showing both techniques and finished products.

Those problems just mean that the reader should approach this with a critical eye, not avoid it completely. There's just too much good here to give up.

-- wiredweird

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Etching, Engraving and Other Intaglio Printmaking Techniques, November 13, 2006

By	Mrs. Annette Simpson "annieware" (australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

great reference book - agreed by 4 others who recieved copies