William Washington was born in Marple, Cheshire; he studied at Ashton-under-Lyme’s Hegginbottom Art School whilst working for a printing company, and later at the Royal College of Art, London. Washington taught at several London art schools, finally becoming acting Principal at Hammersmith School of Art. His prints were confined to line engraving and ranged from architectural to figure studies and portraits.

Glossary

  • Engraving

    An intaglio process whereby lines are cut into a metal or wood plate using an engraving tool (a burin), which is pushed in front of the hand to achieve a sharp controlled incision capable of great delicacy. This technique requires a great deal of control and is not suited to spontaneous mark-making.