Well, they're not quite ready yet, but I'm heading there.
I was reading The Printmaking Bible and learning more about the process of etching, drypoint in particular which does not involve acid baths. Perhaps that will come at a later date. Since the concept of the idea the other day, I've been trying to find suitable materials to test with and in this town, that's never an easy task, so one learns to be inventive.
As copper or zinc plates weren't available, I decided I would try plexiglass and actually ended up with some acrylic blanks used for glass painting practice. Then not having an etching needle, I tried a scratchboard knife which seems to work well on the softer surface.
I decided I would use an old drawing of a circle of fish that I had completed last year and have pretty much completed etching the drawing onto the acrylic sheet. Tomorrow I'll test the printing. This may be a challenge as I don't have a printing press so I'll see what weights and a baren or rolling pin will do. Stay tuned!
12 comments:
I just love this idea as acid baths scare me! I can't wait to see the printing results as the etching turned out wonderfully :).
Stay inspired!
Michelle
Brain Angles - Invisible Ink
Your drypoint is looking beautiful, Jeanette. I guess you know to soak and blot your paper then a good tip for hand rubbing is to put the damp paper on the plate and cover it with a sheet of backing paper or better still a thin plastic document sleeve and work over this with your barren or spoon. Can't wait to see the results.
'barren'! Yes, well my spelling isn't too hot at this time of day! ;)
I am curious to see the result. This seems to be a good idea.
I agree Michelle. I think I'd need to be much more devoted to etching before I got into the acid bath stuff.
Thanks for the tips Robyn. I always get impatient and don't wait for the wetted paper to dry off a bit. I need a timer to tell me when! :)
I'm using freezer paper for the smooth paper to ease the baren's glide.
Lydie, its an interesting process, we'll see how the printing turns out later.
I've done drypoint on perspex in the past but with a printing press.
I've read that sandwiching the inked up plate/paper etc between several layers of newspaper and boards, then driving the car over works well - I can't guarantee it but you'll get the pressure!
Good luck - intaglio processes are not easy without an etching press.
oh and a tip for the paper wetting - if you run a sheet under the tap then put a piece of dry paper over it, continue that way,alternating wet/dry, store in plastic bag overnight or for a few hours and all the paper is a perfect degree of dampness
- a tip given me by a really good printmaker that worked brilliantly for me.
Ohhh I love this idea. It looks like so much fun to work on. Also like the finished prints you came up with ... fun, fun, fun.
I have no idea what this etching thing is. I am curious now. thanks for posting!
How inventive you are! Interesting results too on the next post.
I did acid etching at college and loved it, although such a slow process scratching the plates. I didn't know you could dry etch, I may have to investigate.
Yes, there is drypoint etching Sue. Much less scary than the acid baths IMO and a similar effect. There are I'm sure the purists who would say drypoint is not kosher. :)
Vivien, good idea on the bagging damp paper. Thank you. Still not sure about the car press :))
Nancy, it has so many possibilities, its great fun to do. Really no different than drawing on paper just a bit more effort.
Wai Li, you'll have to try it yourself and experiment.
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