Question

Which of the following techniques of print making does not require acid bite?
(A). Wood cut printing
(B). Aquatint
(C). Sugar-lift
(D). Mezzotint
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• (A) and (B) only.
• (B) and (C) only.
• (B) and (D) only.
• (A) and (D) only.

Hint:

A simple rule: if "etch" or "aquatint" is in the name or description, it probably uses acid. Woodcut, linocut, engraving, drypoint, and mezzotint are all "dry" techniques that rely on carving or scratching.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Identify which techniques use acid (a wet process) and which are purely mechanical (a dry process).

(A) Wood cut printing: A relief technique that involves carving wood. No acid is used.
(D) Mezzotint: An intaglio technique where the plate is roughened mechanically with a tool called a 'rocker' and then smoothed with a burnisher. No acid is used.
(B) Aquatint: An etching process that uses acid to bite a porous ground, creating tonal areas.
(C) Sugar-lift: A technique of drawing with a sugar solution onto a plate, which is then covered with a ground. When the plate is placed in water, the sugar dissolves and lifts the ground, exposing the plate for an acid bite.

Step 2: Conclude that Wood cut and Mezzotint are the techniques that do not require an acid bite.