Etching

In its simplest form, etching is the process where lines are drawn through a resistant ‘ground’ that has been applied to a metal plate (usually copper, aluminium or zinc) and the exposed metal is then bitten using an ‘acid’, creating incised lines and marks.

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Etchings are usually inked intaglio, meaning the ink is worked into the recessed lines and marks while any excess on the surface of the plate is wiped away. The plate is then run through an etching press under high pressure, with thick blankets over dampened paper, forcing the paper into the grooves so it can pick up the ink.

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What I find most compelling about etching is the range of marks and tones that different techniques can produce on a single plate. As someone who primarily works in relief printmaking, that versatility feels especially exciting.