Electro Etching Workshop

Learn a modern, eco-friendly way to etch zinc using electricity in this electro etching workshop at Incubate Printmaking, Cobalt Studios in Newcastle, guided by tutor Nick Christie.Electro etching is a form of intaglio that gives similar results to traditional acid etching, but instead of a corrosive liquid, it uses an electrolyte – in this case, zinc sulphate – to etch the zinc. A small electrical current, around one volt, is passed through the plate to kick off the etching process.This method comes with some brilliant advantages over acid etching: you can control the strength of the etch with a simple turn of the dial, no toxic fumes are produced, and the solution doesn't tire, so there's nothing to dispose of. It's a process that works just as well at home as it does in an artist's studio.In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to prepare a zinc plate for etching, applying a wax ground that you can then draw into using a range of tools to create different marks and effects. Once your plate has been etched and the ground removed, you'll ink it up by hand with water-based ink and print it using an etching press. Whether you'd rather work from source imagery, transfer an image onto the plate to build on, or improvise as you go, the choice is yours.You'll be able to take your prints home at the end of the session, or leave them to dry for a few days before popping back to collect them. 4-10 prints and an etched zinc plate to take home. Read more details