Mixed Grounds

Hard ground etching,

15 minute figure first etch,

recoated and marks added,

10 minute second etch

I first drew the model

on the red BIG hard grounds

with a Sharpie

I then began etching with both

the double ended cork tool,

and the sewing needle in the lead holder

I washed the Sharpie off with alcohol,

and continued scribing the copper plate

First etch and print

I decided to draw more lines, and etch the plate the second time, for only 10 minutes.  That way some lighter lines might weave through the first figure and background.  

First we applied a thin coat of the traditional ball ground

Drawing on an engraving bean bag,

which helps angle the plate towards the raking light,

so that I could see the new lines

However, I could not see the new lines.  I could see the original etched figure, but the traditional ball ground was too light to see the fine lines that I was adding.  So I decided to smoke the traditional ball hard grounds.

Smoking the hard grounds

The smoked plate,

was transparent enough to see the previously etched figure,

but dark enough to better see the new lines I was adding

The plate washed in a tray of water,

after being etched for a second time

Inked and ready to print