Etching

Etching

Etching is an intaglio printmaking technique where acid is used to incise lines or areas into a metal plate, creating channels that retain the ink.

Etching is an intaglio printmaking method that yields delicate, fluid lines, ranging from elegant and sinuous to precise and textured. It involves using an etching needle, a fine-pointed instrument, to draw on a metal plate coated with a thin layer of waxy ground, providing an easily drawable surface.

When the plate is exposed to acid, the waxy ground shields the covered areas, while the drawn lines are revealed and etched by the acid. After removing the coating, the plate is inked, filling only the etched lines. Damp paper is then pressed onto the plate and passed through a press, causing the paper to conform to the etched lines and absorb the ink.

50 results found for "Etching"

guide

Framing inspiration

So you found the perfect artwork. Now what? From classic to creative framing, with room for magic comes room for mistakes. We took five prints to a framing studio in East London to explore the possibilities on offer for the contemporary collector. Here's what we found out.

Framing inspiration
essay

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton: When Will The Dots Stop?

Bags, billboards and Bella Hadid. The commodification of Yayoi Kusama.

Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton: When Will The Dots Stop?
video

Seated

With her first ever public sculpture, Tschabalala Self brings ongoing explorations of body politics and domestic performance to London.

Seated
article

Studio Works

Studio Works offers the chance to collect original artworks by emerging global artists. The first instalment features Alfie Caine, b.wing, Bell Nakai, Lin Yen-Liang and Sun-Kyo Park - five artists we were excited to meet earlier this year.

Studio Works
article

Peter Halley: Galaxia II

Neo-geo icon Peter Halley has been making prints alongside his fluorescent, rectilinear paintings for more than 3 decades. Galaxia II – “a technical tour de force” printed by Lamina Studios – is his most ambitious yet.

Peter Halley: Galaxia II
Artist

Miwa Komatsu

Miwa Komatsu was born in Nagano, Japan in 1984. She lives and works between Nagano and Tokyo.

Miwa Komatsu
Artist

Nicasio Fernandez

Nicasio Fernandez was born in 1993 in Yonkers, New York. He now lives and works in Mahopac, New York.

Nicasio Fernandez
Artist

SETH

SETH (he/him) was born in 1972 in Paris, where he lives and works.

SETH
Artist

A-Lei

YehHsin-Hong, known as A-Lei (he/him), was born in 1976 in Taiwan, where he continues to live and work.

A-Lei
Artist

Erik Parker

Erik Parker (he/him) was born in 1968 in Stuttgart, Germany. He is now based in New York City.

Erik Parker
Artist

Nikki Maloof

Nikki Maloof (she/her) was born 1985 in Peoria, United States. She now lives and works in the countryside of Massachusetts, United States.

Nikki Maloof
Artist

NessGraphics

American artist Alex Ness, aka NessGraphics, (he/him) was born in 1995. He currently lives and works in New York.

NessGraphics
Artist

Esiri Erheriene-Essi

Esiri Erheriene-Essi was born in London, England, in 1982, and now lives and works in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Esiri Erheriene-Essi
Artist

Mark Whalen

Mark Whalen (he/him) was born in Sydney in 1982, and now lives and works in Los Angeles.

Mark Whalen
Artist

Jules de Balincourt

Jules de Balincourt was born in 1972 in Paris, France, and now lives and works in New York, USA.

Jules de Balincourt
Print

Forced Separation

Allegorical cacti float above a grid in a copper plate etching by Zhang Ruyi.Ruyi uses cacti to represent herself. The ‘forced separation’ of organic forms and rigid systems is a consistent theme in her work, and she keeps a daily log of the plants she cultivates by sketching them onto graph paper.Forced Separation transforms one of the artist's early drawings into a copper plate etching for the first time. This particular type of etching was her medium of choice as a student. In the artwork, a layered orange grid contains a row of cacti – rendered in a “state of dying” and reconfigured from life to fit within its constraints.“The title is a relatively objective description. It represents an expression of performance and an individual's blurred emotions within a densely structured urban environment.”

Forced Separation
Print

Diptych

Javier Calleja composes a diptych from life’s possibilities and complexities.On the left, It wasn’t me is grounded in mischief that exists somewhere between innocence and malevolence. On the right, Floating conveys the carefree nature of daydreams and a sense of limitless potential. Together, Calleja builds a “simple but not easy” narrative that suspends each figure in a single moment from a story.

Each print is a 15 colour engrave, using 4 photopolymer etching plates with a final colour applied by hand by the printmaker. The artisanal production process will begin as soon the draw for the edition is held, and will take 16-20 weeks.
The diptych is made up of two prints, each an edition of 250.
© 2024, Javier Calleja, all rights reserved – text and data mining not allowed.

Diptych
Print

Floating

In Javier Calleja’s daydream a whimsical character floats, detached from reality.Floating sees a carefree figure suspended in the air. Blushing, with hands shyly in their pockets, they innocently yet mischievously look towards a single daisy perched on their head. Pink bubble letters add to the lightness of the scene, completing the composition. Originally drawn in pencil, Calleja’s soft use of colour lends a dream-like quality to his snapshot of the limitless possibilities of youth.

The print is a 15 colour engrave, using 4 photopolymer etching plates with a final colour applied by hand by the printmaker. The artisanal production process will begin as soon the draw for the edition is held, and will take 16-20 weeks.

© 2024, Javier Calleja, all rights reserved – text and data mining not allowed.

Floating
Print

It wasn't me

Javier Calleja simplifies life’s complex threads with a single, mischievous character.The wide-eyed figure, adorned with impish horns and a wicked smirk, starkly contradicts the text floating above them. ‘It wasn’t me’ hints at a grander tale, waiting to be told. Full of suggestive contrasts and rendered with bold use of fiery hues in soft pencil, Calleja’s artwork captures the interplay between innocence and mischief.The print is a 15 colour engrave, using 4 photopolymer etching plates with a final colour applied by hand by the printmaker. The artisanal production process will begin as soon the draw for the edition is held, and will take 16-20 weeks."My intention is that the spectator creates their own story when they are looking at my work."© 2024, Javier Calleja, all rights reserved – text and data mining not allowed.

It wasn't me
Print

Minority Rules

A rabbit serves as a mirror for complex human emotions in a print by Benrei Huang.First seen in 2008, Nini is a recurring character in Huang’s work. The white rabbit has taken on a life of his own in surreal, pastel-hued vistas. In Minority Rules, Nini stands apart from a crowd of green bunnies. Whether Nini is comfortable in his solitude or has been ostracised by the warren is left open to interpretation. As her practice has evolved, Huang has stopped explaining her paintings – “a lot of my viewers have projected their own life experiences into my works, a vivid reflection of their life and on-the-spot emotions.” An edition of archival pigment prints on etching paper maintain the soft storybook feel of the reference artwork. The delicate rendering is at once universally accessible and deeply personal to Huang’s life and practice.

Minority Rules
Print

Menippean Satire

A humorous reflection of the ambient anxiety of modern life by Baldur Helgason.Highlighting the unfulfilled need for connection in society, Helgason is known for caricatures which seem playful at first, yet are subversive, emotive and discomforting.Menippean Satire, as its title suggests, considers pervasive attitudes rather than a specific individual or group. The work's crazed but smiling subject fits right in amongst Helgason's oeuvre of delirious cartoons. To create the edition, the artist drew by hand onto a soft ground copper etching plate. Once complete, the plate was inked and used to print the edition one by one.

Menippean Satire
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Glaring Shade

In Glaring Shade, Gribbon inserts Scott into various scenes through the matrix of the queer woman artist in the 21st century.The series of 12 monotype prints draw attention to the act of seeing, not just for the artist and viewer, but also for the subject. The variations of print motifs each draw attention to Scott’s eyes, created by unique manipulations of a printing plate and inks. In one scenario, Scott blocks a spotlight light with her hand, a nod to her performance background. In another, she protects herself with an eyepatch, surrounded by an imagined greenscape inspired by art historical scenes. This playful approach to printmaking allows the viewer to empathise with Scott’s experience of seeing, whilst simultaneously questioning what it is to be seen.

Glaring Shade
Print

Once

Javier Calleja debuts a once in a lifetime project with a pair of time-limited prints.Based on defining original works from Calleja’s upcoming magnum opus, the editions will be available to all for 24 hours only – and can be ordered separately, or as a diptych. Once is the left hand panel of the diptych.Calleja’s endearing figures are led by emotion. The two sketches selected by the artist encompass his distinctive character stylings and use of irreverent slogans. A single phrase spans both works, revealed in full when they are seen together. Together, they nod to the significance of a project that has commanded two years of the artist's attention.The editions translate original soft ground etchings into intricate hybrid prints. Areas of vibrant colour are enhanced by layers of varnish and red ink applied on a silkscreen. Finally, each print is authenticated with a bespoke artist stamp – unique to the edition.100 Once in my Life T-shirts will be allocated at random when prints are dispatched. Worldwide shipping is free.© 2023, Javier Calleja, all rights reserved.

Once
Print

in my Life

Javier Calleja debuts a once in a lifetime project with a pair of time-limited prints.Based on defining original works from Calleja’s upcoming magnum opus, the editions will be available to all for 24 hours only – and can be ordered separately, or as a diptych. in my Life is the left hand panel of the diptych.Calleja’s endearing figures are led by emotion. The two sketches selected by the artist encompass his distinctive character stylings and use of irreverent slogans. A single phrase spans both works, revealed in full when they are seen together. Together, they nod to the significance of a project that has commanded two years of the artist's attention.The editions translate original soft ground etchings into intricate hybrid prints. Areas of vibrant colour are enhanced by layers of varnish and red ink applied on a silkscreen. Finally, each print is authenticated with a bespoke artist stamp – unique to the edition.100 Once in my Life T-shirts will be allocated at random when prints are dispatched. Worldwide shipping is free.© 2023, Javier Calleja, all rights reserved.

in my Life

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Your questions, answered

Parra's studio, with Parra at the centre, his back to the camera as he works on the large painting takes centre stage, showing a faceless blue woman in a striped dress, painted in red, purple, blue and teal. The studio is full of brightly coloured paints, with a large window on the right and a patterned rug across the floor under the painting.