DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18732#0139
[ m ]
mezzotinto grounding tool, (only made with teeth) and
others contracted to their minds; but thefe tools, though
more expeditious than the graver only, are feldom fo
accurate or pleafmg in effect.
Thefe kind of tools, and a variety of others (amount-
ing in the whole, when a fet is perfect, to near forty)
are very much ufed in France, where the manner of
engraving in chalks was firft practifed; they very fre-
quently produce an effect more clofely refembling an
original drawing in chalks than the Englifh perform-
ances finifhed folely with the graver ; but, on the other
hand, the neatnefs and accurary, as well as a certain
mellowhefs of ftyle which diftinguifh Englifh produc-
tions, are not only vaftly fuperior to thofe of the French
artifts, but are univerfally allowed fo to be in every
country in Europe.
The French have very well imitated drawings on
blue paper, by ufmg two plates, one of which printed
the black chalk effect;, the other the white chalk : on
the fame idea, chalk plates printed in black on blue
paper, may afterwards be touched with white chalk to a
very pleafmg effect. .
The chief merit of plates engraved in chalks is in-
fer ted by the artift who finifhes the fubject. Care and
attention is requifite, and a good habit of defign indif-
penfable ; every requifite in the manual practice is eafily
acquired.
*
mezzotinto grounding tool, (only made with teeth) and
others contracted to their minds; but thefe tools, though
more expeditious than the graver only, are feldom fo
accurate or pleafmg in effect.
Thefe kind of tools, and a variety of others (amount-
ing in the whole, when a fet is perfect, to near forty)
are very much ufed in France, where the manner of
engraving in chalks was firft practifed; they very fre-
quently produce an effect more clofely refembling an
original drawing in chalks than the Englifh perform-
ances finifhed folely with the graver ; but, on the other
hand, the neatnefs and accurary, as well as a certain
mellowhefs of ftyle which diftinguifh Englifh produc-
tions, are not only vaftly fuperior to thofe of the French
artifts, but are univerfally allowed fo to be in every
country in Europe.
The French have very well imitated drawings on
blue paper, by ufmg two plates, one of which printed
the black chalk effect;, the other the white chalk : on
the fame idea, chalk plates printed in black on blue
paper, may afterwards be touched with white chalk to a
very pleafmg effect. .
The chief merit of plates engraved in chalks is in-
fer ted by the artift who finifhes the fubject. Care and
attention is requifite, and a good habit of defign indif-
penfable ; every requifite in the manual practice is eafily
acquired.
*