COURSES: 5-day Intensive Courses in Etching
Monday to Friday Intensive Etching Course (using Zinc Plates)
Number of participants: minimum of 4 (maximum of 8)
Location: Steinbruchstr. 18, 3441 Dietersdorf, Lower Austria, Austria
Fee: £600 (payable at least 2 weeks before course start). Fee covers 3 zinc plates, paper, and ink as well as tea and coffeee and light lunch.
Time: 5 days, each day: 9:30–12:30 & 13:30–17:00
Dates: please check the course calender
Aims: this course will give participants a thorough knowledge of the theory and practise of the etching process, and the opportunity to fully explore the creative possibilities of the technique. It is best suited to those with an artistic streak who are not afraid of technical processes or of working together in a group. Completion of this course will definitely benefit those who may later wish to participate in our master class in etching.
Course Content
The first two days consist of the following content with the final three days left open for participants to explore the medium at thier own pace with support from the tutor as and when required.
Day 1: (09.30 - 12.30 und 13:30–17:00)
General introduction to the etching process:
– tour of the workshop and studio
– heath and safety in the workshop
– explanation of the basic principles of etching followed by demonstration of the various steps and procedures involved. Participants will learn how the various tools, chemicals, materials, paper and, of course, the press is used in producing an etching. A brief introduction to the safer mordants currently in use, although we will focus on copper suphate used with zinc plate.
Demonstration and practise:
– paper preparation for use the following day
– zinc plate preparation
– wax ground application (hard & soft) and protection of back of plate during etching
– demonstration and practise of different types of linework on hard grounded plates
– etching with copper sulphate
– applying aquatint rosin
– application of ink and plate wiping
– workshop clean up and preparation for following day
Day 2: (09.30 - 12.30 und 13:30–17:00)
Refined work and printing:
– students will have the opportunity to combine the techniques from previous day's work such as linework, soft ground and aquatint
– sugarlift technique demonstrated
– plate preparation for printing (edge filing)
– application of ink and wiping
– test print to check press pressure and print of a few examples*
– paper drying (fully drying paper can take upto 2 weeks)
– workshop clean up and preparation for following day
Day 3 to Day 5: (09.30 - 12.30 und 13:30–17:00)
Outside of printing off an edition*, students are free to pursue their own projects. On days 3 to 5, some of the more advanced techniques will be covered such as drypoint, sugarlift process and also á la poupée colour inking.
* in fairness to other participants, only a few prints per person may be printed – no editioning!
For further information and enquiries:
Tel: +43 (0)2274 301 26
E-mail (type following address):
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