Etching : Christmas - An Introduction to Etching - 5-day course

Etching : Christmas – An Introduction to Etching – 5-day course

Learn the fundamentals of etching, a centuries-old technique that continues to inspire contemporary artists.

This introductory course is ideal for beginners or anyone looking to refresh their skills.

Over five days, you’ll explore key etching processes, including hard ground, soft ground, aquatint, colour and two plate printing, learning how to create and print your own striking etchings.

What The Course is About:

Etching has changed very little over the last 500 years. Associated with artists such as Rembrandt, Goya and Dürer, it remains an important part of contemporary art.

The process uses acid to bite lines into a metal plate, creating grooves that hold ink, which is then transferred to paper through a printing press.

This introductory etching course is ideal for beginners or anyone looking to refresh their skills.

During the course you’ll learn the key etching processes on zinc - hard and soft ground to create texture and line, aquatint to apply tone, and methods of colour printing.

This is a practical, workshop-based course where you can build your confidence through guided demonstrations, hands-on practice and plenty of time to experiment, learning everything you need to create and print your own striking etchings.

NOTE: Asthma sufferers may be affected adversely by some of the chemicals used in the etching process and should wear a protective mask.

If you are pregnant you may need to take medical advice before enrolling on this course.

It is essential that students are able to retain processing steps and work independently to minimalise any health and safety risks in the studio.

Materials Required:

If you have a drawing or image you’d like to refer to, or work from during the course, please bring it along.

Please bring a selection of pencils 2H, HB, 2B, 6B and a sketchbook or notebook.

You will need some basic paintbrushes which can be purchased from the School Shop. Basic etching tools are available to borrow, or you can bring your own tools if you have them.

Etching can be messy so it’s a good idea to bring an apron, and rubber gloves are available from the School Shop.

Previous Experience:

Beginners or anyone looking to refresh their skills.

Experienced students are welcome to join the course and join demonstrations or work on their own projects independently.

End of course:

By the end of the course, you’ll understand the main etching processes and feel confident using them to create your own prints.

Processes covered: Plate preparation, Hard ground, Soft ground, Aquatint, Monochrome Printing, Colour printing, Steel plate colour, Two-plate printing, Chine Collé