23rd October- Etching reflections- Skills 6
23rd October
Workshop Reflections- Etchings
The previous reflections above illustrate my ethical thoughts and feelings regarding the etching process. However as I have progressed with the process, some practical frustrations have presented themselves also.
Last monday I exposed my plate with the image and cleaned/taped it also. This week, therefore; I was able to drop the plate into the acid (ensuring the tab was outside of the acid level). I left the plate fully submerged for 30 minutes. I then removed the plate from the acid and washed it off. It was then ready to be dried and wiped with the spirit. The blue ink layer did not come away with the spirit wipe so the plate needed a more corrosive substance. This brought the rest of the ink layer off.
However, this then revealed that the plate had only tarnished and not etched. The image groves were smooth to the touch and the entire plate felt level. This therefore means there would be no protruding surface for the ink to hold to. Therefore, the print would be a block flat layer instead of exposing the intended image.
Unfortunately this means I had to start the process again. The likely causation of this was the initial ink layer being to thick and therefore ink grease remaining during the acid exposure. The water based acid can not react with the grease and the etching process does not take place. Therefore, I ensured a thinner layer of ink was rolled onto the plate for the second attempt.
This is very frustrating for a few reasons, firstly I was very excited at the prospect of seeing my print today. Another reason is the lost time an materials from the process. I am now set back in terms of time. However, regardless of these frustrations, the process is a complicated one with chemical dependants. Therefore, the end result is somewhat a gamble. I think this adds a certain magic to the process but also causes struggle to those of us less patient. I was able to appreciate the beauty of the mistake and the course of events was taken as a learning curve, however time constraints and second attempts do waste more of the resources involved. If anything, the process encourages a patients and an appreciation for the craft and the process. Ultimately, the process has control over the art in etching and not the usual reversal of roles.
I have started the process again and am currently waiting for the ink to dry upon the plate. I have my acetate ready for exposure when the red room is free to book.
Workshop Reflections- Etchings
'Ultimately, the process has control over the art in etching and not the usual reversal of roles.'Previous reflections
The previous reflections above illustrate my ethical thoughts and feelings regarding the etching process. However as I have progressed with the process, some practical frustrations have presented themselves also.
Last monday I exposed my plate with the image and cleaned/taped it also. This week, therefore; I was able to drop the plate into the acid (ensuring the tab was outside of the acid level). I left the plate fully submerged for 30 minutes. I then removed the plate from the acid and washed it off. It was then ready to be dried and wiped with the spirit. The blue ink layer did not come away with the spirit wipe so the plate needed a more corrosive substance. This brought the rest of the ink layer off.
However, this then revealed that the plate had only tarnished and not etched. The image groves were smooth to the touch and the entire plate felt level. This therefore means there would be no protruding surface for the ink to hold to. Therefore, the print would be a block flat layer instead of exposing the intended image.
Unfortunately this means I had to start the process again. The likely causation of this was the initial ink layer being to thick and therefore ink grease remaining during the acid exposure. The water based acid can not react with the grease and the etching process does not take place. Therefore, I ensured a thinner layer of ink was rolled onto the plate for the second attempt.
This is very frustrating for a few reasons, firstly I was very excited at the prospect of seeing my print today. Another reason is the lost time an materials from the process. I am now set back in terms of time. However, regardless of these frustrations, the process is a complicated one with chemical dependants. Therefore, the end result is somewhat a gamble. I think this adds a certain magic to the process but also causes struggle to those of us less patient. I was able to appreciate the beauty of the mistake and the course of events was taken as a learning curve, however time constraints and second attempts do waste more of the resources involved. If anything, the process encourages a patients and an appreciation for the craft and the process. Ultimately, the process has control over the art in etching and not the usual reversal of roles.
I have started the process again and am currently waiting for the ink to dry upon the plate. I have my acetate ready for exposure when the red room is free to book.
Comments
Post a Comment