Drypoint Number One: Portrait 1909

This portrait of Aileen, by Donald Shaw MacLaughlan, was made using the drypoint technique. It's a printmaking process that's all about directness and immediacy. See how the artist has used a sharp needle to scratch directly into a copper plate? The incised lines create a burr – a rough edge – which catches the ink and gives the print its characteristic velvety texture. The process is demanding: it requires a confident hand and a sensitivity to the material. The quality of the line depends entirely on the pressure and angle of the tool. MacLaughlan's skill is evident in the delicate rendering of Aileen's features, and the subtle tonal variations he’s achieved. The drypoint method, unlike etching, doesn't involve acid, so the artist is in complete control. Yet, the fleeting nature of the burr means that only a limited number of high-quality impressions can be pulled from the plate before it wears down. Paying attention to the artist's process, materials, and the social context in which the work was made allows us to fully appreciate the skill and labor that went into this portrait.