Lines in the Deep Teacher Guide Lines in the Deep
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 1
Unit: Inked Impressions
Intaglio Processes
Lesson Objective
Students will distinguish between relief and intaglio printing processes and demonstrate the ability to scribe lines of varying depth and weight into a PETG plastic plate using an etching needle.
The Hook: Tactile Inquiry
Prepare two samples: A standard linocut (relief) block and a commercially engraved invitation or a dollar bill. Ask students to close their eyes and run their fingers over both. Prompt: "One has ink sitting on the hills; the other has ink hiding in the valleys. Which is which?"
Supply Checklist
PETG or Plexiglass Plates
Etching Needles/Scribes
Tape (to secure plates)
Sharpies (for sketching)
Black paper/cloth (for viewing)
01
Concept: The "V" vs. The "U"
Contrast Relief (Relievo) and Intaglio (Incised). Explain that in Intaglio, we are creating a "valley" for the ink to rest in. The deeper the valley, the more ink it holds, and the darker the line will be.
02
Technique: The Burnt Burr
Demonstrate scribing. Show students the "burr"—the tiny curl of plastic thrown up by the needle. In drypoint, this burr is what gives the line its characteristic soft, velvety edge. Warning: Warn students not to brush away the burr with their hands (it's sharp and essential for the print).
03
Practice: Pressure Control
Distribute the "Scribing Practice Worksheet". Students must practice drawing light, medium, and heavy lines. They should see the plastic actually change color (turning slightly white/opaque) as they scribe deeper.
Essential Questions for Discussion
Why might a shallow line hold less ink than a deep one during the wiping process?
How does the physical effort of scratching the plate translate to the visual weight of the image?
Lines in the Deep Slides Inked Impressions
Lines in the Deep
Introduction to Intaglio & Drypoint
Lesson 01
Relief vs. Intaglio
The fundamental difference is where the ink lives.
Relief Ink
Versus
Intaglio Ink
The Anatomy of a Line
The Scribe
The metal tool that cuts into the plastic plate.
The Furrow
The actual trench where the ink will be held.
The Burr
The most important part!
The curl of plastic that catches ink for soft edges.
Pressure = Value
How hard you press determines how much ink the line holds.
Gentle Tickle
Light Gray
Firm Stroke
Medium Gray
Heavy Scribe
Deep Black
Artist's Rules of the Scribe
Don't Brush!
Do not use your hands to wipe away plastic bits. Use a brush or blow them away. The "burr" is sharp and precious.
Check the Contrast
Place your clear plate over a sheet of black paper to see your scratches more clearly as you work.
Now, let's practice on your plates...
Scribing Practice Worksheet Scribing Practice Sheet
Unit: Inked Impressions | Lesson 01
Artist:
Date:
Objective: Practice controlling the depth and quality of your lines before starting your final plate. Place your plastic plate directly over these boxes if it is clear, or use these as a guide for your marks.
01. The Pressure Scale
Scribe a continuous line across each box, increasing pressure as indicated. Note how the "burr" feels different as you press harder.
Whisper Light
Firm & Steady
Deep Trench
02. Mark-Making Library
Fill each square with a different type of line. Focus on consistency and control.
Organic Curves (Hairy/Soft)
Mechanical Hatching (Parallel)
Cross-Hatching (Intersecting)
Stippling (Dots & Pits)
03. Composition Thumbnail
Sketch a simple idea for your first 4"x5" plate below. Think about where you want your darkest blacks and your softest grays .
Practice makes the master. Check for burrs.
The Texture of Shadow Slides Inked Impressions
The Texture of Shadow
Mastering Plate Tone and Experimental Marks
Lesson 02
Beyond the Needle
In drypoint, anything that can scratch, scuff, or abrade the surface of the plate will hold ink. We aren't limited to just lines.
Steel Wool
Creates soft, hazy mist and atmospheric tone.
Sandpaper
Creates dense, gritty darks and "grainy" textures.
Screws/Nails
Heavy, jagged, and unpredictable markings.
Wire Brush
Creates groups of fast, energetic parallel lines.
What is Plate Tone?
Plate tone is the subtle film of ink left on the surface after wiping.
"It’s the difference between a clinical white background and a mood-filled, atmospheric environment."
Atmospheric Wash
No Tone
Heavy Tone
Building Value through Hatching
Single Hatch
Lines in one direction. Creates a medium-light value.
Cross-Hatch
Two sets of lines intersecting. Creates a medium-dark value.
Triple-Hatch
Three or more layers. Creates the deepest, richest blacks.
Workshop Challenge
The Void
Can you create a true black circle on your plate without drawing a single distinct line?
Tip: Use sandpaper and circular motions!
Experimental Marks Log Experimental Marks Log
Unit: Inked Impressions | Lesson 02
Artist:
Test each tool in the boxes provided. For each box, rate the "darkness" you achieved and describe the visual mood the texture creates (e.g., "Grit," "Fog," "Anger," "Silence").
Steel Wool
Atmospheric mist
Light Dark
Mood Descriptor: ____________________
Coarse Sandpaper
Gritty grain
Light Dark
Mood Descriptor: ____________________
Wire Brush
Energetic motion
Light Dark
Mood Descriptor: ____________________
Mystery Tool
(Your choice)
Light Dark
Mood Descriptor: ____________________
Challenge: The Absolute Void
Using only abrasives (no lines), create the darkest possible black circle below.
Scribe Here
Warning: Heavily abraded plastic will hold a LOT of ink. Wipe carefully!
Inked Impressions Laboratory | Studio Log No. 02
The Art of the Wipe Slides Inked Impressions
The Art of the Wipe
Inking, Wiping, and Polishing the Plate
Lesson 03
The Inking Ritual
Inking is not just painting. It is forcing ink into the lines.
1
Apply a dollop of oil-based etching ink.
2
Use an ink card or squeegee to push ink into the grooves from all directions.
The goal: Every "valley" must be full.
The Tarlatan Dance
The Pad
Fold your starched cloth into a firm, flat-bottomed pad.
The Motion
Small, circular strokes. Don't press too hard!
The Goal
Remove surface ink, but keep the valleys full.
Wiping Styles
The Dirty Wipe
• Leaves a film of plate tone
• Mood: Gloomy, old, mysterious
• Best for: Landscapes and nocturnes
The Hand/Paper Wipe
• Uses tissue or hand for final polish
• Mood: Sharp, clinical, high-contrast
• Best for: Bold graphics and portraits
Avoid the "Hollow Line"
If you wipe too hard or use a dirty tarlatan, you will scoop the ink right out of your valleys.
The Fix:
"Wipe like you're dusting a butterfly's wing." — Soft, flat, and light.
Inking Station Guide Inking Station Procedure
Teacher Station Resource | Lesson 03
01. Station Setup
Essential Supplies
• Etching Ink (Oil-based or Water-miscible)
• Ink Cards (cut-up old credit cards/mat board)
• Tarlatan (starched cheesecloth)
• Newspaper / Phonebook pages (for surface wipe)
• Vegetable oil & rags (for cleanup)
Pro-Tip: Pre-soften the tarlatan by rubbing it against itself. A brand-new tarlatan is often too stiff and can scratch the plate or remove too much ink.
02. Facilitation Steps
1
The "Massage"
Have students push ink into the plate with the card. Remind them: "If the line looks clear, it has no ink. If it looks black/filled, it's ready."
2
The Tarlatan Phase
Guide students to use a rhythmic, circular motion. The tarlatan should start to look "silvered" with ink. Once the tarlatan is black, they must switch to a clean spot.
3
The Final Polish
For high contrast, demonstrate a "paper wipe" using the palm of the hand or a single sheet of telephone book paper dragged flat across the surface.
Troubleshooting the Wipe
Issue Likely Cause Correction Blurred Lines Inking was too thin or burr was crushed. Add more ink; re-scribe lines if necessary. Grey/Ghostly Print Over-wiping (too much pressure). Be gentler with the tarlatan; keep it flatter. Ink Smudges in Whites Plate edges weren't cleaned. Wipe the very edges with a clean rag before printing.
Artist Station Clean-Up
Scraping Cards Clean
Slab Cleaned with Oil
Tarlatans Folded
Pressure and Proofs Slides Inked Impressions
Pressure and Proofs
Paper Preparation and Press Operation
Lesson 04
The Thirsty Sheet
Intaglio printing requires damp paper.
The Process
Soak 5-10 minutes
Blot Remove surface shine
Print Immediate
The Etching Press
1
The Bed
The flat steel surface that travels through the rollers.
2
The Rollers
Upper and lower steel cylinders providing pressure.
3
The Blankets (Felts)
Wool cushions that push the paper into the lines.
The Sandwich Order
From Bottom to Top
Top Blanket (The Pusher)
Bottom Blanket (The Cushion)
Damp Paper
Your Inked Plate
The Press Bed
Press Protocol
No Fingers!
Never place your hands near the rollers while the wheel is turning. One person operates, one person assists.
Smooth Ride
Turn the wheel slowly and steadily. Do not stop in the middle of a plate, or you'll leave a "pressure line."
Printing Day Protocol Sheet Printing Day Protocol
Student Reference Guide | Lesson 04
Essential Checklist
1
Soak
2
Ink & Wipe
3
Blot
4
Pull
I. Paper Preparation
The Soak: Submerge your BFK Rives or Arches paper in the water bath for exactly 10 minutes.The Blot: Lift paper with clean "paper fingers" (strips of folded cardstock). Place between towels and press firmly.The Test: The paper should feel damp and cool to the touch, but there should be no shine on the surface.
II. Final Plate Check
Wipe the bevelled edges of your plate with a clean cloth to avoid "ink halos."
Double-check that your darkest areas are fully packed with ink.
III. The Press Sandwich
Place items on the bed in this order:
Top Felt Blankets (The Pusher)
Middle Dampened Paper
Middle Your Inked Plate (Face Up)
Bottom The Steel Bed
Safety First
Keep hair tied back and loose jewelry tucked away. Never place fingers near the rollers. If you feel resistance, STOP and ask the instructor.
Inked Impressions Workshop | Print Guide 4.0
Layers of Color Slides Inked Impressions
Layers of Color
Introduction to Chine-collé and Mixed Media
Lesson 05
Chine-collé
French for "Chinese Collage."
It is the process of adhering thin pieces of colored paper (like tissue or mulberry paper) to your heavy print paper at the exact moment you pull the print.
Why do it?
To add localized fields of color behind your black etched lines without needing a second plate.
Heavy Print Paper
Tissue Paper
Your Inked Plate
Pressure is the Paste
Traditionally, a thin layer of wheat starch paste is applied to the back of the tissue paper.
1. Prepare
Cut your colored tissue to the shape you want. Apply a very thin layer of glue stick or paste to the side that will face the heavy paper.
2. Position
Place the tissue face down on your inked plate. The glue side should be facing UP toward the damp heavy paper.
The pressure of the press fuses the three layers together into one permanent artwork.
Strategic Color
Focal Point
Use color only on the most important part of your image to draw the eye.
Mood Shift
Cold blues for shadows; warm oranges for highlights or energy.
Texture Layer
Use patterned papers or maps for a complex, conceptual background.
The Final Challenge
The Master Proof
Combine Drypoint Line, Plate Tone, and Chine-collé into a single, cohesive composition.
Technique
Atmosphere
Composition
Master Piece Rubric Master Piece Rubric
Final Assessment | Inked Impressions
Artist:
Total Score:
/ 20
Criteria Master (5) Apprentice (3) Novice (1) Line Quality & Depth Excellent variety of line weights; rich, velvety blacks achieved through burr retention. Good variety; some lines are a bit thin or grey; burr is inconsistent. Flat line weight throughout; very little value variation. Tonal Range Sophisticated use of plate tone and abrasives to create atmosphere. Some use of shading/tone, but background feels empty or accidental. No intentional plate tone or textures beyond lines. Chine-collé Mastery Tissue is perfectly registered, flat, and fused; color enhances composition. Tissue is adhered but has wrinkles or slight misalignment. Tissue is peeling or color choices detract from the image. Craftsmanship Clean borders; no stray ink marks; paper is perfectly damp and blotted. Minor ink smudges on borders; paper may be slightly over-wiped. Messy borders; "ink halos"; poor paper handling.
Curator's Notes
Instructor comments on atmospheric quality and emotional impact...
Artist Reflection
How did the physical texture of your plate change the "mood" of your final image?
What was the most challenging part of the "Art of the Wipe"?
Inked Impressions Portfolio Final Edition 2026
