Texes Art EC-12 Practice Exam 2025 - Free Art EC-12 Practice Questions and Study Guide

The primary characteristic of mezzotint in printmaking is that it involves creating a picture by polishing or scraping a roughened surface. In this technique, the artist begins with a plate that has been roughened with a tool called a rocker. This creates a textured surface that holds ink in the unpolished areas. By selectively smoothing or scraping these rough areas, the artist can create varying tones and textures, ranging from deep blacks to subtle grays and whites. This method allows for a rich, velvety quality in the prints, which is a hallmark of mezzotint.

The other options do not accurately represent the mezzotint technique. For instance, a print created using a flat surface refers more to processes like lithography rather than mezzotint. Similarly, color layering is associated with different printmaking methods like silkscreen or woodcut, rather than the tonal effects achieved in mezzotint. Finally, the use of digital tools pertains to modern printing techniques, which do not align with traditional mezzotint practices.