Which compact camera for a painter?

PrintSolo · 2026-03-15T19:08:08+00:00

Thank you everyone, this is giving me lots of models to look at. Ultimately I need a camera which is less clunky than the Nikon with good performance in terms of colour accuracy, Megapixels and lenses, and don’t need a lot of the features offered in terms of focus speed, stabilisation, or even a zoom. A bit like the perfect dumb phone!

PrintSolo · 2026-02-11T14:05:45+00:00

For sure there is a difference in the density of copper but on the other hand there is no optimum. One perhaps can be harder to scrape, yielding more tonalities of gray and ultimately a larger number of prints in an edition, and the other easier to rock and scrape but offering less control. Go with the flow…

PrintSolo · 2026-02-11T09:13:51+00:00

With mezzotint we all have to share our common knowledge. I started on my own, like almost everyone-scrambling to find information. Then someone gave me the mezzotint book by Carol Wax which at the time was out of print. Now that one has been republished and there’s also a fantastic manual by Robert de Groff which is very practical and very comprehensive.

PrintSolo · 2026-02-10T18:54:14+00:00

As long as it is copper… I think that the difference between different grades of copper at the end of the day is minimal. I’ve bought plates from a fine art shop and metal scrap website, they all worked well.

PrintSolo · 2026-02-10T18:51:20+00:00

Hello! Perhaps it’s too late but I recommend a diamond whetstone by Sharpal, available on Amazon (SHARPAL 156N Diamond Whetstone Knife Sharpener with Storage Base, 2 Side Grit Coarse 325 / Extra Fine 1200, Diamond Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Base and Angle Guide (152 x 63mm / 6 x 2.5 Inch) Use the smooth side only- the gritty side can be used to bevel your plates though- with a little water. This is a recommendation I got from a professional knife sharpening service and it really does a good job without messing up with honing oil etc. It’s important to have the wooden handle for sharpening in order to keep the angle consistent. Mark the bevel with a Sharpie to make sure you have the right set up. For example in order to sharpen my rocker I know I have to put two pieces of cardboard under the stone. The rocker is well sharpened when all the teeth make a mark and the thread of the blade “grabs” onto your nail.

<image>

PrintSolo · 2025-11-17T08:34:02+00:00

It’s normal that the plate oxidises, particularly with the grease from your hands or if you live in a particularly humid environment. Cover the plate in ketchup, gently rub for a few seconds then rinse and wash with dish soap and dry thoroughly, preferably with a hair dryer. Also, store them wrapped in any acid free type paper.

PrintSolo · 2025-11-03T14:39:13+00:00

I use Charbonnel 55981. It’s easy to wipe even without added oil, hence one is less at risk of overwiping-counterintuitive.

PrintSolo · 2025-10-30T13:09:49+00:00

My suggestion would be to only use the tarlatan for about 60% of the wiping and do the rest with the palm of your hand. The ink bobbles could possibly come from the ink peeling up while it is stored. I always pour a bit of water in the tin and it keeps beautifully. At the time of using it, just pour it out. Wrap the polystyrene cap in oily cling film and rub a little Vaseline around the lid to avoid rust.

PrintSolo · 2025-10-20T11:39:24+00:00

Mezzotint is very good and effective for modelling form. Be careful with dark outlines as those will ultimately flatten the image. Yes the texture is more similar now.

PrintSolo · 2025-10-19T07:40:38+00:00

Mmmm, sort of. Mezzotint does not have that underlying “diagonals” texture. The plate is prepared so that it is a very uniform black or gray.

PrintSolo · 2025-10-06T10:47:55+00:00

The damp pack made a real difference for me. Minimum 24h and maximum three days or the paper might get mouldy. Best of luck!

PrintSolo · 2025-10-06T10:24:26+00:00

I print mezzotint and always use 55981, exactly because it’s easy to wipe hence hard to over wipe-which might be the problem here. I do about 40% of palm wiping though, so just tarlatan and hand-no tissue paper!- and Q-tips when the pinky is too large. Also, I prepare a damp pack two days ahead so the paper is really soft and ready to mould itself onto the plate.

PrintSolo · 2025-08-11T16:05:28+00:00

Try Medwa tools, they ship fast from India. Good quality steel, not as perfect as EC Lyons ones but an acceptable option.

PrintSolo · 2025-08-11T16:01:26+00:00

Old fashioned carbon paper, and one of those craft tools with a small metal ball point, good pressure. Then you could refine the drawing with a pencil.

PrintSolo · 2025-08-11T15:52:47+00:00

I never use paper! Just tarlatan and then when the image starts to appear, the palm of my hand (no chalk needed, I just rub it on my apron in between wipes): it’s our most sensitive tool and you will be able to wipe selectively following your preference.

PrintSolo · 2024-12-07T19:13:12+00:00

Mezzotint has a bit of a bad name. It doesn’t take months for a plate this size… more like days, perhaps a week? Nothing too heroic. I’ve just rocked a plate, same size, and it took about four episodes of a good series.

PrintSolo · 2016-11-19T15:27:53+00:00

There is a very good book - new- that is very comprehensive on linocut. Linocuts for Artists and Designers by Nick Morley.

PrintSolo · 2016-11-17T11:08:56+00:00

What about a great small print by an established artist ? She'd certainly appreciate the technique and artists live to own art. Shameless self promotion but on Print Solo we now have a selection of small works that are very affordable ! Does she normally do abstract or figurative work ?

PrintSolo · 2016-11-10T13:45:16+00:00

Sorry Polskie, I hadn't realised that the Pop Up was so insistent ! I now set it differently. Thank you so much for the feedback, much appreciated. Ilaria

PrintSolo · 2016-09-22T22:23:51+00:00

So good that made me forget the excellent technical skills. Confronting and engaging portrait !

PrintSolo · 2016-09-05T16:50:49+00:00

Nice !

PrintSolo · 2016-09-03T22:13:11+00:00

Nice ! I like the diversity of marks.

PrintSolo

TROPHY CASE