Introduction to Mezzotint with Stuart Brocklehurst

Learn how to engrave your own mezzotint plate with guest tutor Stuart Brocklehurst during this weekend master class.

What is Mezzotint?

Unique among intaglio processes, mezzotint prints are worked from dark to light. Any work done on the plate creates tones moving through progressively lighter greys to white.

What will you learn?

Day One

Students are shown a portfolio of original mezzotints and given a demonstration in the use of the rocker and manner of rocking the plate to prepare the mezzotint ground. Students are then taught correct handling of scrapers and burnishing tools used to alter the mezzotint ground. Using their own designs students are helped to transfer the image on to the plate and guidance given in starting to engrave the plate. Towards the end of the first day students will be shown how to ink and wipe their plates and print a first impression to check progress.

Day Two
Students are coached through the engraving process using the first proofs as a guide to where further work is required on the plate in preparation for pulling second state proofs later in the day.

Please note: some experience of printing an intaglio plate is requested (but not essential). 

About the Tutor:

A printmaker from the Calder Valley in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Stuart Brocklehurst has been making mezzotint prints for a number of years. A member of the International Mezzotint Society his mezzotint prints are held in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts in Ekaterinberg, Russia and the Institute of printmaking at the University of Campinas in Brazil. As well as being held in private collections in Europe, North America and Asia they have been exhibited at galleries throughout the UK and internationally in the USA, Belgium, Russia (at the 4th and 5th International Mezzotint Festivals) and in Brazil.