Focus on Technique: Spit Bite Aquatint
Spit bite aquatint differs from other forms of aquatint primarily in that the artist applies acid to the plate with a brush, rather than fully submerging it in a bath. The artist first applies the typical aquatint ground to the plate before painting desired areas with an acidic solution. It is called spit bite because saliva, or spit, was used to thicken the acid, making it easier to control with a brush. The depth of color and tone depends on the thickness of the applied acid. Visually, spit bite aquatint creates finished prints with softer edges around the etched areas, similar to watercolor.
-Pilar Saavedra-Weis ’25