Etching with aquatint, Southport, Connecticut seascape

Description

This scene was inspired by an early evening walk on the beach near where I lived in Connecticut. The rough water, usually calm on Long Island Sound, the wind blowing the reeds in the water... all were signs that winter was about to arrive with a vengeance. A print from this edition was recently purchased by the Connecticut Historical Society to be part of their permanent collection.

Southport Beach is a limited edition original etching with aquatint, number 39 from an edition of 40. The image area is 3 7/8in. x 7 1/2in., printed on 7 1/4in. x 10 1/2in. BFK Rives archival printmaking paper, and is pencil-signed and numbered. I use archival oil based inks for my etchings and aquatints.

PLEASE NOTE: This print does NOT include framing or matting. The photo of the framed art is only to suggest a style of framing.

All of my original prints are hand-pulled by me. Because of this, each etching, aquatint, silkscreen, woodblock or lithograph I do varies slightly from print to print, in effect making each impression an original print, unlike a “reproduction”, where every print is exactly the same.

How is an etching done?
An etching requires a highly polished metal plate, usually copper or zinc. The plate is covered in wax (or some other resist). I then draw the design directly into the wax using a sharp instrument known as an etching needle, the idea being to expose the metal along the lines I draw. The plate is dropped into a bowl of acid, which eats into the exposed metal. This process may be repeated many times for the development of the image. When the image is complete, the plate is inked and then the surface is wiped with a cloth, leaving ink lodged in the lines that have been etched into the surface of the plate. A sheet of damp paper is pressed upon the plate and a print results.

How is an aquatint done?
Like etching, aquatint uses the application of acid to make the marks in the metal plate. Where the etching technique uses a needle to make lines that print in black (or whatever color ink is used), aquatint uses powdered resin (or a liquid acrylic) which is acid resistant in the ground to create a tonal effect. The tonal variation is controlled by the level of acid exposure over large areas, and thus the image is shaped by large sections at a time.

I do not use any of the photography processes available today to etch my images, preferring to use traditional methods in my work.


Payment, Shipping & Refund Details

Payments:
My preferred method of paying is PayPal. I also accept checks and money orders. However, paying by check will result in delaying the shipping of your art until your check clears.

Shipping and Handling:
$8.00, shipped via USPS, priority, insured in the US with delivery confirmation. CANADIAN BUYERS: $10.00, shipped via USPS, insured. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Please contact me for shipping rates.

Returns:
If you are not satisfied with your art, simply email or call me to make return arrangements within 7 days. I'd be happy to refund you the purchase price of the art, minus the shipping and handling fees, provided the art is returned to me undamaged.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Member:
Los Angeles Printmaking Society

Added on Nov 24, 2009

Shipping

ship to:	cost:	with another item:
United States	$8.00 USD	$0.00 USD
Canada	$10.00 USD	$0.00 USD

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