The most sought after dry point etched prints are the ones that show the effects of the burr – and are often termed “full of burr”. You can clearly see the burr on the prints below. Because the burr is so delicate one cannot afford to spend too much time experimenting with the final result so it is not usual to have Artist’s Proofs when printing drypoint etches.
It is also because the burr wears off so easily that the numbering of drypoint etches is so critical. For the collector, the nearer to number “1” the better. This is when the burr is at its most optimal. This creates an image of soft feathery lines. Usually when printing a limited edition, they will be very similar in terms of color. However with dry point because you are very limited in terms of the numbers of prints you can pull – the artist will often choose to change colors between printings.
Unfortunately it is difficult to take clear photos. But it gives you an idea of the process and the results.
Happy-Arting!
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