Kilpin practiced intaglio printmaking, where lines are cut by hand
or etched by acid. Ink is then applied to the plate, and then wiped,
leaving ink in the incised lines. For printing, a sheet of dampened
paper is applied onto the plate and run through a press: the pressure
of the press transfers the ink in the incised lines onto the paper.
Kilpin produced etchings of landscapes, cityscapes, nautical scenes
and occasionally genre scenes, for the most part, executed in two
distinct styles. Some are reminiscent of conservative prints imported
from Britain and France, while others were executed in a more spontaneous,
sketchy style that often featured contemporary Canadian scenes. |
