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The Art of making etchings. When a plate has been cut to size and made ready for use, its edges should be bevelled to a narrow angle for the protection of both the paper and the blankets. The plate (copper, zinc, steel) must be cleaned and all traces of grease removed, this is done using ammonia and chalk, the paste is rubbed evenly over the plate and rinsed in clean water. A 'ground' must now be rolled onto the plate in a smooth layer, this acts as an acid resistant barrier; it consists of asphaltum wax and resin mixed together. The plate is heated , the ground melted onto the surface and rolled to a thin even layer, next the plate must be 'smoked' with a lighted taper to darken the ground and toughen it. The design is drawn through the wax using a needle or other fine point, care being taken not to scratch the plate’s surface. Corrections are achieved by 'stopping out' with liquid ground any unwanted marks. The acid used in etching varies as a different metal is used; the most commonly used being nitric acid. The plate is lowered into the acid solution, the depth of bite being timed. A 1 minute bite will show a feint line when printed; my plates are often bitten to 10 or even 15 minutes. Variety of line tone is achieved by biting different parts of the design for different lengths of time. Once cleaned the plate is ready for proof printing.
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