Etching workshop

About this course

Participants develop drawings, sketches or visual ideas into etchings using hard ground, soft ground and aquatint. The course covers creating images on metal plates, producing line, tone and texture, preparing paper, inking plates and printing with an etching press. Teaching combines demonstrations, practical application, written instructions, and individual and group discussion. Learners also examine how different applications affect the results of etching processes.

What you'll learn

• Create an image on a metal plate for etching
• Apply hard ground, soft ground and aquatint to produce line, tone and texture
• Etch a design into metal
• Prepare paper for intaglio printing
• Ink and print a processed etching plate
• Use an etching press safely for intaglio printing

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for beginners, while learners with previous etching experience are also welcome to refresh or extend their skills. Basic drawing ability may be useful but is not essential. Participants need to follow verbal and written instructions in English for health and safety and printmaking procedures.

• Suitable for learners revisiting etching after previous experience
• Basic drawing skills are advantageous but not essential
• Requires following written and verbal instructions in English
• Includes occasional short note-taking and simple ruler measurements

Before you go

• Basic materials are provided.
• Bring sketches, photographs or other visual resources as starting points for the first session.