So... I come back from participating in a one day etching workshop a bit frustrated. As you can imagine there is little one can achieve in a day using a very traditional wax hard ground and a slow biting ferric chloride on copper plate when the weather is cool. I manage a very unsatisfying, thinly drawn paint brush, which although it was in the ferric for 2hours did not achieve the richness I am use to with quick biting zinc and aluminum in copper sulphate.

I brought the plate home and was inspired to get my ferric chloride tank going again so that I could rework the brush. My tank has an outer tank of water which is heated, this speeds up the biting process, I also have citric acid added to my ferric, it gives a cleaner bite. I made an extra piece from deeply bitten aluminum and re printed using viscosity inking for the aluminum plate.
Happier than I was but not completely satisfied!

But it is this bit that really interests me, I can see myself dispensing with the brush...watch this space.
I apologise for this post, it has been a bit technical, it has been aimed at my fellow non toxic etching enthusiasts. Let me know what you think?
Wonderful post and not to technical.
ReplyDeleteOh the struggle of cool weather etching! Know the feeling well :) Sue your home etching tank sounds great, would love to see a picture of it.
ReplyDeleteI have just started using citric in my ferric too...
...and your deeply etched aluminium print is alluring to see...
There is something beautiful in a simple etched line too :)