Answer :
Final answer:
The illustration technique that employs a rocker is mezzotint—one of the tonal intaglio printmaking processes known for its rich, velvety textures and soft gradations of light and shade.
Explanation:
The illustration technique that uses a rocker is mezzotint. Mezzotint is a printmaking process that involves creating a textured pattern on a metal plate which is subsequently smoothed out in areas to create lighter tones. The term mezzotint comes from the Italian word 'mezzo' meaning 'half' and 'tinta' meaning 'tone', reflecting the method's ability to produce a range of tonal values.
The uniqueness of mezzotint is its ability to render soft, subtle gradations of light and shade; resulting in a rich, velvety texture in the final printed image. This quality is achieved through the use of a tool called a rocker, which has a curved, serrated blade. The artist works the rocker over the surface of a metal plate in multiple directions, creating a burr that holds ink. The artist then scrapes and burnishes the plate to create lighter areas. As a result, mezzotint can achieve the effects of a finely detailed and tone-rich image.
Historically, mezzotint became very popular in the 18th century for reproducing the tonal range of paintings. The technique was widely used for portraits and scenes with dramatic lighting effects. Due to the labor-intensive nature of the process, it is less commonly used today but remains admired for its distinctive results.
