The spelling of "dry point" is consistent with its pronunciation, which is /ˈdraɪ ˌpɔɪnt/. The initial "d" sound is followed by a long "i" sound and the unstressed "y" sound, then the stress falls on the second syllable with a short "o" sound and another "i" sound before the "n" and "t" consonant sounds. Dry point refers to a printmaking technique in which an artist uses a pointed instrument to scratch an image onto a metal plate, creating a series of fine lines.
Dry point is a printmaking technique used in the field of visual arts that involves incising or scratching a design onto a plate made of metal, such as copper or zinc, without the use of acid. It is a form of intaglio printmaking, which means that the design is created by making incisions, rather than by raising the surface as in relief printing.
The process of creating a drypoint print begins by engraving lines or marks directly onto the plate with a sharp pointed instrument, such as a needle or a hard-pointed stylus. These incised lines create grooves on the plate, which will be filled with ink for the printing process. The plate is then inked, wiping off the excess ink from its surface, leaving only the ink trapped within the incised lines and grooves. Finally, a sheet of paper is carefully pressed onto the inked plate, transferring the image onto the paper.
The resulting print has distinct characteristics due to the nature of the dry point technique. The incised lines create a rich, velvety texture and a unique quality of line, characterized by a slightly raised burr of metal that holds the ink. This burr contributes to the soft, slightly blurred quality of the printed lines, distinguishing drypoint prints from other intaglio techniques. The process can be repeated to create a limited edition of prints.
The word "dry point" has its origins in printmaking, specifically in the technique known as drypoint engraving or drypoint etching. The term "dry point" derives from the fact that no acid or liquid is used in the process, in contrast to traditional etching methods.
The word "drypoint" can be broken down into two parts: "dry" and "point". "Dry" refers to the absence of liquid or acid, indicating that no etching liquid is used in this technique. "Point" is a reference to the tool used in the process, known as a drypoint needle or stylus. This needle has a sharp point, and it is used to incise or scratch lines directly onto a plate made of metal or another material.
The practice of drypoint engraving has been around for centuries, but the specific etymology of the word "dry point" in relation to this medium is difficult to trace.