New Etching

Oh happiness! I started a new etching at White Wings Press today. White Wings Press is run by master printer, Teresa James. Teresa and I used to work together at Tony Fitzpatrick's studio, Big Cat Press, a long time ago. It's really nice to have the opportunity to work with her again, and in her own shop. Today we began by discussing my idea, and then I started drawing on the first of what will probably be a five plate etching. We began with what is called a soft ground. A soft, waxy resist is rolled over the copper plate. Teresa and her assistant Will can be seen tending to this step in the second photo. After the resist cools a bit, a piece of vellum drawing paper is placed on top of the plate. By drawing on the vellum with a bit of pressure and a hard graphite pencil, line work is transfered in to the waxy resist. Once line work is complete, the copper plate is put in a bath of ferric chloride. The ferric etches the line work in to the plate. Right now things are looking real landscape-y. I'll try to post updates, and more photos as we progress.