My Processes  

Me working at the Oxford Printmakers Cooperative workshop.

 

 

In the etching process a metal plate is covered with an acid resistant coating or ‘ground’ into which marks are made which expose the plate beneath.  The plate is then submerged in acid and the acid corrodes or ‘bites’ in those areas of the plate revealed by the marks, and indentations in the metal called ‘intaglios’ are created by the acid.  The ‘ground’ is then removed and when ink is applied to the plate the ink remains in the intaglios and is then transferred to paper when passed through a press.    

 

In the same way fibrous materials such as fabric or dry plant material can be pressed through a ‘ground’ to produce an image.

 

In a further etching process different tones can be achieved by the use of a powdered resin called ‘aquatint’.  When heated, this resin adheres to the metal plate. An acid resistant varnish is then used to stop the acid from biting the plate in those areas where a lighter tone is required.  Successive sessions of varnish application and biting produces an image with lighter and darker tones.

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