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ETCHING.

The English word etching is derived from the Dutch "etzen" - to bite.

Zinc or copper plates are covered with an acid resistant surface (wax) and an image is drawn on to the plate with a sharp point. The picture thus formed is put in acid which "bites" the drawn lines.

The wax is removed and the plate warmed (on a hot plate), covered with ink and then cleaned leaving the ink in the lines "bitten" by the acid.

The picture is then printed on to damp paper by rolling the plate through a printing press which looks like a giant mangle. The end result is a reversed image of the original drawing.

The above is a greatly simplified explanation.

In this exhibition many methods of etching have been used to produce the final images. Tones are created by a process called "aquatint" on copper or zinc plates, or by "open biting" on steel. In coloured etching all the colours may be "dollied" on to one plate or, one plate may be used for each colour.

Which ever method is used, every etching is an original work of art. The printing is done by hand and there are variations in every print depending on the metal, pigment, temperature of the hot plate, and that of the printer!!!