Mezzotint printing

Mezzotint is a printmaking technique that creates richly textured images with a range of tonal values. Artists start with a surface roughened with tiny, pitted lines, which holds ink well and produces dark tones. To create lighter areas, the artist smooths or abrades parts of the surface, reducing the ink hold. This process allows for subtle gradations of shading and soft tonal transitions, resulting in prints with a velvety appearance. Mezzotint is valued for its ability to produce deep blacks and nuanced shading, making it ideal for rendering detailed, atmospheric images.