My etching plate as etching is underway in the copper sulphate saline solution

The mordant (in this case copper sulphate with salt added) 'bites' grooves into the metal plate in preparation for my printing it.

Etching a new metal plate of Birmingham library in my studio

etchings - trees and shadows

 sketch of trees and shadows - late afternoon long shadows and winter trees

I then used diluted coffee and painted an image (based on this sketch) onto a piece of aluminium plate.   I rolled Baldwin's 'Big Ground' over the top and baked it all in the oven.   Then I put the plate in warm water and rubbed away the ground which was onto of the coffee. See below...

The image revealed on the plate!

Then I placed the plate in a mordant to etch the image into the metal.   See here some plates in the copper sulphate saline solution...

Then I inked up and printed the plates using my etching press.

Etching in a tray of copper sulphate saline solution

My image etching into the metal in the tray of copper sulphate saline solution.

etching

 

Etching today - the metal is etching in copper sulphate. Magical to watch!