Engraving is part of the Prints family. In engraving, the drawing is created on a metal plate, copper or zinc, and the design is inversed left to right. We can use a mirror during this process, to see the obtained result. But more often this inversion is not a problem; it depends on every artwork and every artist.

The technics illustrated here are the following:

- DRYPOINT
[rooster head]
Drypoint is an engraving method in which the design is scratched directly onto the plate - usually copper, but zinc could also be used even though it is less appropriate for this technic – with a sharp pointed instrument. Drypoint is characterised by a smooth line, resulted in the way the lifted up metal is holding ink. .
        
- ETCHING
Etching is a method of making prints from a metal plate, usually copper or zinc, which has been “bitten” with an acid. The plate is first coated with an acid-resistant substance (etching ground or varnish) through which the design is drawn with a sharp tool. The acid eats the plate through the exposed lines; the more time the plate is left in the acid, the coarser the lines.
The result is similar to pencil drawing.

- AQUATINTE
[Pink flamingos on Japanese paper]

Aquatint is an engraving method, which allows lines but also large areas of tones. An aquatint begins with a copper or zinc plate. Like etching, aquatint uses the application of acid to make the marks in the metal plate. The artist applies a ground by either dissolving powdered resin in spirits or applying the powder directly on the surface of the plate. The plate is then softly heated. The plate is then dipped in acid, producing an even and fine level of corrotion, “the bite”, sufficient to hold ink.
Then, the printing is possible.
In sugar aquatint, also called “sugar lift”, the artist uses a sugar-ink mixture to draw with a pen or pencil on a surface treated with resin. When dry, the drawing is covered with a layer of varnish and the plate is introduced into a hot water bath that exposes the drawing in the resin. The plate is then bitten in the acid bath and the resulting print has a soft painted look.

-SOFT VARNISH or « Vernis mou »
 [crane study]
Soft Varnish is a method of drawing or transferring designs and textures directly onto a plate. The resulting line is broad and soft, sometimes thought to resemble pencil or chalk drawings. The plate is first coated with a smooth varnish, then scratched with a pencil or stamped, then like in the other techniques; the plate is bitten by acid. It is possible to use the same plate several times, combining different technics. Every time, the plate will be cleaned and prepared for the appropriate varnish, etc.
It is also possible to work on two different plates of the same format, which will be printed on the same sheet; each plate-supporting specific technique and color.