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Engraving (Different modes of engraving)

THE different modes of engraving are the fol- ❘ of excelling in quality. In producing a plate lowing : 1. In strokes cut through a thin wax, laid upon the plate, with a point, and these strokes bitten or corroded into the plate with acid. This is called etching. 2. In strokes with the graver alone, unassisted by acid. In this instance, the design is traced with a sharp tool, called a dry point, upon the plate, and the strokes are cut or ploughed upon the copper with an instrument distinguished by the name of a graver. 3. In mezzotinto, which is performed by a dark ground raised uniformly upon the plate with a toothed tool. 4. In aquatinta, the outline is first etched, and afterwards a sort of wash is laid by the acid upon the plate, resembling drawings in Indianink, bistre, etc. 5. On wood. 6. Lithography.

Etching.

Etching is a method of working on copper or steel, wherein the lines or strokes, instead of being cut with a graver, are eaten with acid. Materials, etc.

The principal materials for this art are, the copper or steel-plate, hard and soft ground (the first for winter, and the other for summer), a dabber, turpentine-varnish, lampblack, soft wax, and aqua-fortis.

The tools are an oil-rubber, a burnisher, a scraper, a hand-vice, etching-boards, etchingneedles, an oil stone, and a parallel ruler.