Question

In which of the following intaglio printing processes are rosin particles used to control the contact between acid and metal?

• A. Lino cut
• B. Aquatint
• C. Drypoint
• D. Mezzotint

Hint:

Remember "Aqua-" means water and "-tint" means tone. Aquatint creates watercolor-like tonal effects in etching by using a porous ground of rosin to control the acid bite.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understand the question. The question asks for an intaglio process where rosin dust is used to create a ground that resists acid, thereby creating tonal areas rather than sharp lines.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.

Lino cut is a relief process, not intaglio, and does not use acid.
Aquatint is an intaglio process where powdered rosin is sprinkled onto a metal plate and then heated, causing it to melt and adhere in a fine, porous ground. When the plate is submerged in an acid bath, the acid bites into the tiny spaces between the rosin particles, creating a pitted, tonal surface that holds ink. This perfectly matches the description.
Drypoint is an intaglio process where the image is incised directly into the plate with a sharp tool. It does not use acid.
Mezzotint is an intaglio process where the plate is systematically roughened with a rocker to create a dark background, and the image is formed by smoothing and polishing areas to make them lighter. It does not use acid.