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Satin Bowerbird (female), Australian Native Bird Etching

Satin Bowerbird (female), Australian Native Bird Etching

Description

I have made a series of etchings of various Australian birds. This is female Satin Bowerbird. They are found along the East Coast of Australia. The male Bowerbird weaves an arch and collects blue things to attract the female. The blue things he collects accentuate his amazing blue plumage. The female is a lovely green colour, I prefere the female.

This particular picture was inspired by a drawing I made of a female Bowerbird in the avery of the Melbourne Museum. They have a grumpy Male bowerbird and several females who pose beautifully.

The image size is 6 x 6 cm (2 3/8 x 2 3/8 inches)
The picture size is 16 x 16 cm (6 3/8 x 6 3/8 inches)
It is printed on 300GSM warm white Hahnemuhle printmaking paper
The edition is one of 20
This listing is for the single print only, the 4 plate print in the process photo is just to show the technique.

All etchings are packaged with a protective board to ensure they reach their destination in perfect condition. They are also wrapped in paper and tied with a ribbon because I cannot resist making a pretty parcel.

See my blog http://bridbird.blogspot.com/2008/02/yesterday-was-my-first-day-back-at.html
for how I print from an acid etched plate, or read the description below that I found on the internet, about the process of Acid Etching-

The artist draws with a needle on to a copper plate that has been covered with an acid resistant wax. When the plate is immersed in acid, the bare metal, exposed by the lines of the drawing, is eroded. The depth of the `etch’ is controlled by the amount of time the acid is allowed to `bite’ the metal. The longer in acid, the deeper the line and the darker it will print.

In order to obtain a print, a viscous greasy ink is pushed into the etched grooves, then the surface is wiped clean with muslin, leaving only the etched areas retaining ink. The actual impression is made with a copper plate press which is similar to an old washing mangle with a large plank or `bed’ between the rollers. The plate is placed on the bed, covered with dampened paper and backed with three or four felt blankets.

These are then passed through the press under high pressure, the malleable paper is forced into the cuts and ridges in the plate and thus picks up the ink. When the paper is finally peeled off, it reveals a faithful mirror image of the etched drawing. This inking procedure is then repeated for each print.

Added on Oct 30, 2009