Frequently asked questions.
How is an etching made?
Etching
Prepareing the Plate: File down the edges of the metal plate to remove any burrs. Degrease and clean the plate thoroughly (often using a mix of whiting powder and water) to ensure the ground adheres properly.
1. Apply the Ground: Coat the entire surface of the plate with an even layer of acid-resistant ground. This is often done by melting a hard wax ground onto a hot plate and rolling it out, or by applying a liquid acrylic resist.
2. Create the Design: Use an etching needle or other sharp tools to scratch your design into the ground, exposing the bare metal underneath. Remember that the final print will be a mirror image of your design on the plate, so any text must be drawn backward.
3. Etch the Plate: Submerge the plate in an acid bath (mordant). The acid "bites" into the exposed lines, creating recesses in the metal plate. The longer the plate stays in the acid, the deeper and wider the lines become, resulting in darker lines in the final print. Areas not drawn into remain protected by the ground.
4. Remove the Ground: After the desired depth of etch is achieved, remove the plate from the acid bath, rinse it with water, and use a solvent (like turpentine or alcohol, depending on the ground type) to completely clean off the remaining ground.
5. Ink the Plate: Apply a layer of thick, sticky etching ink over the entire plate surface, forcing the ink into all the etched lines and recesses.
6. Wipe the Plate: Use a tarlatan rag to wipe most of the excess ink from the surface of the plate, leaving ink only in the incised lines. A final wipe with newsprint or the side of one's hand can achieve a cleaner surface or leave a light tonal veil if desired.
7. Print the Image: Place the inked plate face-up on the bed of a high-pressure printing press. Lay a sheet of dampened paper over the plate and cover it with felt printing blankets. The press rollers apply immense pressure, forcing the soft, damp paper into the etched lines to pick up the ink.
8. Reveal the Print: Carefully peel the paper off the plate to reveal the finished print. This process can be repeated to create multiple prints from the same plate (an edition).
What is a limited edition print?
A limited edition print is a set number of high-quality reproductions of an original artwork, produced in a fixed, predetermined quantity. Once this specific number of prints is created and sold, the artist or publisher commits to not making any more of that exact image in that size or format, which creates scarcity and exclusivity, distinguishing them from "open edition" prints.
· Fixed Quantity: The most important feature is the set, finite number of prints in the edition. Edition sizes vary widely, from as few as 10 to several hundred or more, with smaller editions generally being more valuable.
· Signature and Numbering: Each print is typically hand-numbered and signed by the artist, usually in pencil in the bottom margin below the image. The numbering appears as a fraction (e.g., 5/100), where the top number indicates the specific print and the bottom number is the total edition size.
How are Wood engravings made?
A wood engraving is a relief printmaking technique where an image is created by using fine, sharp tools to cut into the end grain of a very hard block of wood. This differs from a woodcut, which is made from the softer side grain of a wood plank and typically features coarser lines. The key to wood engraving is that the cut lines and areas do not hold ink and will appear white, while the un-engraved surface will hold the ink and appear black. This allows artists to "draw with light," using white lines to create detailed images.
· Material: Wood engravings use blocks of dense, slow-growing hardwoods such as boxwood or lemonwood, which have been cut across the grain (end grain). This dense, uniform surface does not show the wood's natural grain in the final print and can hold extremely fine detail.
· Tools: The process uses specialized, very sharp engraving tools called burins, gravers, and scorpers, adapted from metal engraving. These are pushed into the wood to remove slivers and create precise white lines.
· Technique: The engraver typically works on a small block, often rotating it on a leather sandbag to produce curved and undulating lines with control. By varying the thickness and closeness of the engraved lines, the artist can create a rich tonal range, from black to shades of grey and white.
Printing: The finished block is inked with a roller, so only the raised, un-carved areas receive ink. It is then pressed onto paper, either by hand or with a press, to create the final image.
How is a Lino print made?
A lino print, or linocut, is a type of relief print made by carving a design into a sheet of linoleum. The process is a popular and accessible printmaking technique that gained prominence in the early 20th century.
· Material: The primary material is a block of linoleum, which is typically softer and easier to carve than wood.. The block consists of a canvas backing coated with a solidified linseed oil preparation. Some modern versions use a synthetic rubber or vinyl material.
· No grain: Unlike woodcuts, which are affected by the natural grain of the wood, linoleum has no grain. This allows for a wider variety of mark-making and less angular cuts.
· Technique: It is a relief, printmaking process. The artist uses special carving tools called gouges and V-shaped chisels to remove the areas of the lino block that they want to remain white or unprinted.
· Appearance: Linocuts are often characterized by bold lines, graphic shapes, and a smooth, consistent printed surface. The final print is a mirror image of the design carved into the block.
· Printing: Ink is rolled onto the raised, un-carved surface using a roller, or "brayer". A piece of paper is then placed over the inked block and pressure is applied, transferring the ink to the paper. This can be done by hand using a wooden spoon or "baren" for pressure, or with a printing press.
Multi colour lino prints.
Artists can produce multi-colour linocuts using two main methods:
· Multi-block: A separate linoleum block is carved for each colour in the print.
· Reduction: A single block is used, and the artist prints the lightest colour first. The artist then carves away more of the block and prints the next colour over the top, repeating the process until the darkest colour is printed. Pablo Picasso famously used this technique.