Mezzotint is a drypoint tonal method of printmaking.  Gradations of tone can be produced without using techniques such as hatching, cross-hatching or stipple.  The plate is indented by rocking a spiked metal tool evenly over the surface.  The light tones are created by rubbing the pitted surface using a burnisher.  The pits hold the most ink and the smoothed sections create the different levels of tone.

Martin Maywood, also of The Rooewalk Printmakers, describes the environmental benefits of using mezzotint: “Using no chemicals, mezzotint engraving is a very green and environmentally friendly method of intaglio printmaking with the ability to render images in photographic detail with a full range of velvet tones.” 

There’re some expert mezzotint printmakers at The Rooewalk, and the plates are produced by Martin Maynard.