What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drypoint
Example
The artist used a drypoint needle to create intricate lines on the plate. [drypoint: noun]
Example
The drypoint print had a rough texture and rich tonal range. [drypoint: adjective]
Example
She carefully inked the drypoint plate before running it through the press. [drypoint: noun]
etching
Example
The artist used a needle to draw a design onto the wax before etching the plate. [etching: noun]
Example
The etching had a delicate line quality and subtle tonal variations. [etching: adjective]
Example
He carefully wiped the ink off the etched plate before printing it onto paper. [etching: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Etching is more commonly used than drypoint in the art world. While both techniques have been used for centuries, etching has a longer history and is more widely recognized as a traditional printmaking technique.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between drypoint and etching?
Both drypoint and etching are formal terms used in the art world, but neither is considered more formal than the other.
