Visual Exploration through the Dynamic Interpretations of Etching

About

Etching inspires our artistic vision with expressive directness. Drawing on metal comes with technical challenges and occasions surprising discoveries to which the imagination responds with dynamic interpretations. The intensity of the etching marks and their fuller range of variations lead to deeper insight in our exploration of pictorial space.
This course will introduce all intaglio techniques such as dry point, hard and soft ground etching, engraving, aquatint and sugar lift aquatint. In the second week, participants will increase the technical complexity of their projects by combining and extending the different methods. Participants will also experiment by incorporating more layers into the etching process with the spontaneous, painterly qualities of monoprint, stencils and chine collé.
While mastering specific tasks in the different lessons, we will also generate awareness about the importance of drawing in the creative realization of visual ideas. With demonstrations, group discussions and personal guidance, the curiosity of the beginner will be stimulated to discover the rich diversity of printmaking, and for the more experienced printmaker, this course will provide an opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the medium. The etching workshop is a busy and exciting place, an open environment for learning that will encourage productive interaction between participants. It will generate enthusiasm for everyone in the group to aim at high standards when creating personal work, and to participate in the open studio exhibition at the end of the course.

Course leader

Rossen Daskalov

Target group

Requirements:
Determination to express visual ideas through drawing. Your sketches could be as simple or as personal as you would like them to be. The aim of the course is to experiment with translating our drawings through the diverse language of etching. Willingness to work and to share your experience within a group. The tutor will give guidance for participants to engage individually with the specific tasks in the different stages of etching.
What to bring:
Sketchbooks, preliminary drawings, photos, specific objects and other visual materials that participants would like to use to develop their etching projects. Drawing materials of the participant’s choice. Loose sheets of drawing paper, soft pencils, erasers, sharpener. A few brushes for applying varnishes: flat hog bristle and fine tip round nylon brushes for aquatint. Another 3–4 different sizes (fine to medium) soft brushes for making mono prints. Black permanent marker and a set of watercolors. Tissue paper (Japanese or Chinese) for chine collé. Water-soluble wax crayons. A few sheets of acetate sizes A3 and A2 for monoprint and stencils. It will be helpful if participants could bring their own etching tools such as etching needles, dry point hard steel needles, roulettes, burnishers, and scrapers. Aprons or working clothes and rubber gloves.

Fee info