ETCHINGS

Etching is one of the basic techniques used in traditional printing as well as a major method used in the creative art of printmaking. An etching is a print made from an acid etched metal plate. Ink is rubbed into the indentations, and then wiped off the surface. A dampened sheet of paper is placed over the plate and passed through the press, where the inked image is transferred to the paper. The plate must be re-inked for each impression.

How is the etching plate made?

Beginning with a polished copper plate, a thin layer of wax is rolled onto the surface to protect it from the acid. Then with a sharp needle the drawing is scratched through the wax, exposing the metal. It is then immersed in acid where the drawing is etched into the copper. After removing the wax, a printed image from the plate at this stage resembles a pen and ink drawing. To create tone, the next step is to dust the plate with powered rosin. When heated the rosin becomes tiny acid resistant dots. The plate is again put into the acid. A sand paper like texture will result as the acid eats around the rosin dots. After removing the rosin, when inked, the plate will print flat even tones. Areas are lighter or darker depending on the length of time in the acid. Image and graduations in tone are achieved by carefully burnishing the plate with a steel tool. The more burnished surface is smoother, therefore holding less ink. This tonal process is called aquatint.

What does the Numbering Mean ?

Etchings are individually hand printed in limited editions. If the print number is 52/150, it means there are 150 prints in the edition, and this print is numbered 52.  If it is an AP or Artist’s Proofs, it means the print is from a small number of prints set aside by the artist from the edition. Scott FitzGerald numbers his artist’s proofs with Roman numerals.

To view a gallery of Scott’s etchings, click on the link below.

Gallery of Etchings