Etching Workshop

Metal etching

I had another print workshop, this time on etching into a metal plate. By this point my independent study work was focused around personal anxiety and fears,

1. File down the edges of the metal plate to removed any sharp areas that might damage material during the printing process
2. Polish the surface of the plate. We used a thin, creamy liquid for this I'm unsure of the name of..
3. Mix together chalk and ammonia (?) rub all over the plate with a sponge to remove the greasy layer left over by the polish. Rinse off with water.
4. Heat the plate and rub an even coating of varnish/wax all over to create a ground.
5. Using a candle, gently allow the tip of a flame to flow over the plate, forming a layer of soot. This is easiest when the plate is being held upside down by a clamp.
6. The soot and wax layer dries almost instant and can be drawn into with any sharp tool, revealing the untouched metal below.
7. Attach tape to the back of the plate, to protect it from the acid bath.
8. Drop the plate into an acid bath (need to check what the actual mixture we used was). The acid bites away at the exposed metal, created an indented etching where you drew.
9. After around 15 mins you can remove the plate and continue drawing into it if desired, to create another tone and depth to the etching. Then return it to the acid for another 15 mins.
10. Remove from the acid after around half an hour (?), rinse the acid off with water and then clean off the remaining wax/soot to reveal the plate.

Monochrome print

I absolutely love the texture in the prints from the fine scratches on the surface of the metal plate. I also experimented with coloured inks and tissue paper, one of which I've shown below. The use of red and light brown inks give the appearance of a raw, red eyeball as if it has been greatly agitated. It looks slightly demonic, which works well with my project theme of fear and anxiety.

Black, brown & red print