Pamela Hughes (1918 – 2002), Etching & Aquatint of ‘Hattie and her family’.

Description

Pamela Hughes sketched from life then transferred her image as a white drawing on black before making the wood-engraving or vinyl cut. In wood engraving the design that is to be printed is made on a block of wood such as box. The design is then cut into the wood, across rather than along the grain. A block cut in this way has the advantage that it is less likely to splinter and can be cut cleanly with equal pressure in all directions. It can be worked very finely and more delicate effects are achieved. The block is then inked and the image printed on the paper. The fine lines cut into the wood are beneath the surface which carries the ink, and they therefore print white. The technique is sometimes known as the ‘white line method’. Pamela Hughes did not have a printing press so her work was burnished onto the paper.

Note: Information from V&A Collection.