Etching is a type of art engraving, the imprint of an image from a finished cliche. Classical engraving is an impression of wood, polymer (linoleum) or acrylic material, cut by a cutter in the form of any pattern. The number of prints in this case is limited. Etching is an engraving that is made using special technology. The etching print is based on a metal plate, copper, steel or zinc.
Etching
A metal plate, a blank for a cliché, is treated with acidic preparations. For steel, nitric acid is used, for copper, a chlorine reagent.
A metal plate of a suitable size is polished to a shine, degreased and coated with a special acid-resistant varnish. After drying, a drawing is applied to the workpiece, which can be approximate and will subsequently require further development. In some cases, the image may be completely finished. It all depends on the preferences of the wizard. Many artists consider clichés necessary, and some believe that true art does not need corrections. However, not the methods are important, but the end result. Nevertheless, etching is a true fine art that requires high skill both at the preparation stage and in the process of obtaining direct prints.
Contour processing
After drawing the picture on the workpiece, the master scratches all the lines with a thin sharp needle, removing the acid-resistant coating in the right places. Thus, the metal becomes accessible to the action of the reagent only at those points where it is necessary to make recesses. The finished hatched blank is immersed in acid and the etching process begins. The bath with the preparation must be securely covered to avoid splashing. At the same time, it is necessary to provide ventilation of the room so that poisonous acid fumes are not concentrated in the air.
Chemical materials
Etching technique is a complex technological process that requires certain conditions to ensure the safety of the artist. Careless attitude to protective measures is unacceptable. Chemical materials that are used in the processing of metal blanks for etching are quite dangerous, their negative impact on the human body must be completely neutralized, or at least minimized. After etching, the finished cliche is washed in running water, then the remaining varnish is cleaned from it.
Next, ink is applied to the base, which fills all the recesses. Excess paint is removed from the surface with tampons. Then prints are made from the etching board by pressing. The paper is pressed to the base under pressure, the print is clear and contrast. Thus, the technique of etching allows you to create drawings of any complexity; the finest lines, curls, dots and scratches look quite organic. If the number of prints is in the tens and hundreds, the cliché is gradually erased and loses contrast. In this case, it is necessary to periodically update the board, re-coat it with acid-resistant varnish and deepen the pattern by etching.
Printing forms
The metal plates, treated accordingly, again undergoing the etching process, can be used a certain number of times. Each cliche is a printing form with which etchings are made. In most cases, these are artistic images. Engraving etching is considered one of the most interesting forms of fine art. It was developed in the early 16th century.
Creative achievements
In 1515, the famous artist Albrecht Dürer turned to the etching technique; his experiments on etching metal boards began the beginning of an era of fine engraving art. Dürer combined the creation of classical engravings with etchings; these two techniques had for a long time been of equal value in his work.
The Italian artist Parmigianino, an unsurpassed master of etchings, elevated them to the rank of genuine art. Later, the Dutch painter Rembrandt achieved a unique play of light and shadow in the images, in addition, he began to practice re-etching, which gave an unprecedented depth to the picture.
Aquatint
In 1765, the French painter Jean-Baptiste Leprens discovered a new technique for producing particularly soft halftones resembling a watercolor drawing. The technology is called "aquatint." For the image, the contour transferred from the tracing paper by the pricking method was first etched, then the cliche was covered with rosin in dark places. The board was heated, the powder melted and covered the surface with a granular layer. Bright spots were processed in the usual manner. Aquatinta was often used in combination with color printing; Francisco Goya, one of the best etching artists in history, is considered to be an unsurpassed master of this technique.
Jacques Callot
Since etching is a fine art, the best artists of the 16-18 centuries tried to prove themselves in a difficult genre. However, success was accompanied only by the most talented. One of the most famous etching masters of the early 17th century was the French painter Jacques Callot. The artist worked in the style of gloomy realism, his most famous works are included in the series “Horrors of War”, and the most eloquent etching of the master is called “Hanged”.
Types of Etching
In the 17th century, the engraving technique was successfully used in icon painting. The representative of the Flemish school of painting, artist Anthony van Dyck, became an excellent etcher, practicing sacred drawings. The art of etching made it possible to catch the most subtle nuances of icon-painting images.
Another view was the so-called reproduction etching. He was adopted by the publishing house. Virtually all illustrations in books published in the second half of the 18th century were made using etching techniques. This image style was the best suited for literary works. The drawings were colorful and well conveyed the essence of the plot. Technically, etching graphics were affordable, relatively inexpensive, and image quality remained at a fairly high level.
Mezzo Tinto is the most time-consuming species, but very spectacular. It is based on the use of halftones due to the "graining" of the cliché surface. The smallest recesses give a roughness, which when printing provides smooth transitions from light to shadow. Etchings made in the mezzo-tinto style are velvety and rich in shades.
The "original" look - highly artistic images that were only within the power of the most famous masters. For many artists, etching became a kind of outlet, thanks to which they got the opportunity to fully realize their creative aspirations. The most outstanding engraver of the 18th century is considered to be the Italian architect Giovanni Piranesi, the author of many images of Roman city landscapes and antiquities. No less famous etching artists of the time were: Giovanni-Baptiste Tiepolo, Francisco Goya, Antoine Watteau, Canaletto, Francois Boucher.
Rebirth
In the 19th century, the art of etching fell into decay, it happened under the influence of the advent of printing technology on a colorful basis. However, at the end of the century, engraving artists reaffirmed themselves. New etchings were no longer perceived as illustrations for book editions, they became full-fledged works of art, art trends in graphics. At the beginning of the 20th century, many French painters turned to them, such as Charles-Francois Daubigny, Camille Corot and others. Specialized in etching techniques and the Parisian impressionist painter Eduard Manet. Among Russian painters, Valentin Serov and Ivan Shishkin mastered the engraving technique. James Whistler was an American etcher, Anders Zorn was a Swedish etcher, and Adolf Menzel worked on engravings in Germany.