Copper Plate Etching

Learn a variety of copper etching techniques in this fun intaglio workshop and learn how to achieve a wide tonal range and detail in your images. Using a cooper plate you will learn line etching and textural/tonal aquatint etching. Explore photographic image transfer techniques, and work from your own drawings or collages onto a copper plate using various tools and materials. Learn how to use a press, proper ink application, registration and chine-collé methods. Projects, collaboration, and experimentation will be encouraged along with developing innovative and unconventional tools for your mark making. You will get demonstrations and hands-on practice in: copper plate preparation, ground application, drawing, inking, and printing on a press. This workshop is suited for beginners, and also offers intermediate students an opportunity for a deeper exploration of the medium including rosin aquatint, spray paint aquatint, soft ground etching, spit bite, mezzotint and drypoint techniques. Historical and contemporary artists will be introduced throughout the term.

Special Notes

This is an in-person class which will take place onsite at Fleisher. Please review our COVID-19 community safety policies for current guidelines.

Tuition Assistance is Available

To make our classes and workshops accessible to everyone, Fleisher offers tuition assistance every term so that everyone can join our creative community. Tuition assistance applications can be completed once registration is open by clicking here. The deadline to apply for spring term assistance is Friday, March 10; Notifications will be sent by Monday, March 13.

What you will learn:

  • An extensive knowledge of the history and contemporary practice of etching

  • Various traditional techniques including hard ground etching, soft ground etching, scraping and burnishing, mezzotints, aquatints including: spit bite, rosin, and soap ground

  • Non-toxic techniques including wax crayon resist etching and acrylic soft ground etching

     

Required supplies:

  • Copper etching plate

  • Scriber etching needle

  • Paper – Rives BFK Arches or Stonehenge

  • Newsprint 18×24 inch pad

  • Rags (old t-shirt rags)

  • Recycled glass containers