Jennifer Smyth

A left handed drawing, and an ink sketch done to get more familiar with the image prior to creating a final image to be transferred to the plate.

Filing the edges makes sure: ink does not stick to the rim of the plate and make a mess; and that the plate doesn't cut the blankets.

Transfer the image across onto the plate and then protect areas that you do not want to be etched by the Ferric chloride.

Using bitumen to protect the plate from the acid.

Plate being prepared for open bite technique, the second time into the acid.

These plates are being prepared for aquatinting, a process that when complete adds tone to the plate.

Usually only one colour ink is applied at a time. However for this series of works I wanted two colours on the plate, and then one colour rolled over the top to create a more interesting print.

The first image is a proofed before putting the plate back into the acid. The second image is test print using the roll up technique.

From left to right: first proof of the plate, then a roll up print to see how the plate prints, another proof of the plate, and then the the final plate after using the roulette wheel to add tone to the sky.