Don't you just love copper based etchings ..... the plate tone, the imperfect marks, open biting, aquatint and so on ....
The process however is huge and all week I have been in the studio working hard, biting, proofing, grounding and making more marks, biting again, and trying to get plates together that suggest walks, or journeys, along the beach. I would be very surprised if we haven't all been entranced by the marks left upon sand as the ocean retreats, and the flotsam that is thrown up along the beach at times.
Over Easter the Maleny Printmakers are holding an exhibition titled 'Journeys' and we are all busily trying to get some work done for this in-between other exciting projects.
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| first proofs |
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| second proofs |
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| starting to get some ideas for inking of plates |
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| actual print colour is not quite as sombre as this ... much softer ochre and grey |
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| there are numbers of small plates not shown here |
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I may think of working with cool colours though I am real enjoying the grey and ochre.
Looking back over the prints I realise the colours are not represented well here - this is just a peek and I will post on the etchings for this exhibition once I have done the final work.
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This is fascinating for a non-etcher - both to see something of your process and to have a preliminary view of those lovely subtle results.
ReplyDeleteThe actual processes involved in etching - especially with copper and acid biting - are really quite laborious which is why is is such a delight when the marks can seem so spontaneous. It is good to be back working with some printmaking ... but time consuming.
DeleteS - amazing - looks like you are right into it and the results are beautiful. B
ReplyDeleteThanks Barry - still working on the imagery but I hope in the end they will present well.
DeleteThe plates alone are beautiful works of art. Just stunning!
ReplyDeleteYou are right Carol - the plates on their own are quite beautiful and very often, once an edition has been completed and the plates no longer viable, an artist will frame or mount their plates.
DeleteI am not familiar with printing processes, so do not know what words and terms mean, but the outcomes are so lovely.. I truly can imagine walking on the beach as the water washes away my footsteps... the soft image remaining.
ReplyDeleteA lovely comment Donna. Thank you. I am delighted that you found a sense of the work. Tomorrow I am working on borders of print to go around these plates so am holding thumbs that they add to rather than detract from the work.
DeleteSo much work, but such wonderful results - the plates and the prints are both beautiful. Looking forward to seeing them!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked these when you saw them today Fiona - they are always different when in front of you and not on the screen.
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