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Stone Quay by (Henry) Charles Bartlett

Stone Quay by (Henry) Charles Bartlett

Bartlett's prints take the sea as their subject. In Stone Quay he chooses to use a more abstract method focusing on the shapes and patterns he observes. Here Bartlett has used the colour red, not usually associated with representations of the sea, to convey the colour of the stone and its reflections.

Etching and aquatint are both known as 'intaglio' printmaking processes in which designs are cut into metal plates by using different resistant grounds and acid. Ink sits in the acid etched cuts and is forced out by the pressure of a press to create the printed image on paper. Etching produces lines whereas aquatint produces areas of tone. The processes may be used in combination on the same plate and manipulated to give a subtle range of marks and effects with different qualities of line and tone.