Drypoint is a form of printmaking often called Drypoint Etching. Lines are made by scratching directly into the plate with a sharp needle point.

The scratched line throws up a raised edge called the burr. This forms the relief from which the image is printed.

The burr holds the ink as well as the groove of the line itself. This makes it suitable for creating rich velvety areas of tone. But unfortunately the burr is very fragile and wears down quickly in a press, so few copies of a drypoint etching are possible. It is also hard to make beautiful flowing lines with drypoint, so it is normally combined with hard ground etching for best effect.

To learn the printmaking art of Drypoint Etching, consider taking a Printmaking Workshop or join a Printmaking Society.