Thanks! I don’t agitate the plate because I etch in a fairly weak Ferric Chloride solution, hanging the plate in a vertical tank. Gravity pulls the sediment away from the plate as it etches. If you etch in a standard flat tray, then yes, you’d have to do some agitation.
The soft ground I use is a “ball ground”, which means it is solid at room temperature. I heat the copper plate on hot plate, add the soft ground (which melts), and roll on with a small brayer. When I remove the copper plate from the heat, the soft ground returns to a solid state. Then, I use it right away to add textures since the ground loses sensitivity over time.
I have soft ground in a can (bought about 10-13 yrs ago) & my mostly unused ferric has been in outdoor shed storage (plastic jugs) since (gasp) 2008. I was taught to pour the ground on a vertically slanted plate, but I don't recall how long it has to dry before I impress things into the ground in my etching press. Would like to revisit this process but I'm unsure if the ferric will be worthless after all this time.
No. Hard Ground is hard and stays that way. Soft Ground is formulated to remain somewhat soft and pliable… this characteristic is what permits the textures etc to be imparted to the plate once etched.
Hi, there might have been a bit of confusion as you say at the beginning that you coat the plate with a hard ground. I think most people know that was prob a minor misspeak but just wanted to bring it to your attention. Otherwise it was an extremely useful video, very straightforward and helpful. Thank you for posting this.
You dont name how you made the soft ground ? It is just wax?
We use Charbonnel Soft Ball Ground, applied with a roller on a hot plate.
Love your work! Would you please tell me.. when you etch the plate for an hour, do you have to agitate the tray?
Thanks! I don’t agitate the plate because I etch in a fairly weak Ferric Chloride solution, hanging the plate in a vertical tank. Gravity pulls the sediment away from the plate as it etches. If you etch in a standard flat tray, then yes, you’d have to do some agitation.
Do you heat up your soft ground on the hot plate or can you use it straight out of the can?
The soft ground I use is a “ball ground”, which means it is solid at room temperature. I heat the copper plate on hot plate, add the soft ground (which melts), and roll on with a small brayer. When I remove the copper plate from the heat, the soft ground returns to a solid state. Then, I use it right away to add textures since the ground loses sensitivity over time.
I have soft ground in a can (bought about 10-13 yrs ago) & my mostly unused ferric has been in outdoor shed storage (plastic jugs) since (gasp) 2008. I was taught to pour the ground on a vertically slanted plate, but I don't recall how long it has to dry before I impress things into the ground in my etching press. Would like to revisit this process but I'm unsure if the ferric will be worthless after all this time.
can you do this with a hard ground? what would the difference be?
No. Hard Ground is hard and stays that way. Soft Ground is formulated to remain somewhat soft and pliable… this characteristic is what permits the textures etc to be imparted to the plate once etched.
Hi, there might have been a bit of confusion as you say at the beginning that you coat the plate with a hard ground. I think most people know that was prob a minor misspeak but just wanted to bring it to your attention. Otherwise it was an extremely useful video, very straightforward and helpful. Thank you for posting this.