At-Home Stone Lithography - Lemon Juice Counter Etch

Today's video is about stone litho additions and deletions.
Additions are done with a counter etch, typically a mix of citric acid and warm water. Since lemon juice is full of citric acid, I thought why not try mixing lemon juice and warm water and giving it a go. It's the same active ingredient, the difference being my mix was totally unmeasured and might not have given the best possible outcome. As citric acid is not really a dangerous material for a home studio, I think I will be mixing up proper proportions the next time I try it.
I did two rounds of deletions on the stone. For the first, I used etching needles to scratch the surface, removing the ink, followed by a "hot" lemon etch. The second, not shown in the video, was done with a rubber hone to erase more of the background, once again followed by a lemon etch in those areas. Initially after the counter etch and additions, I wasn't very happy with it, but the deletions brought the image back to life.
I have some ideas for a second layer, but they will have to wait!
Thanks, as always, for watching, liking and/or commenting!

[@moonsmilk333]

mind blown!!!!

[@starvingartistscollective]

So in love with your whole litho stone series!! Also the no toxic solvents and chemicals ethos you have!! When I think back to the printmaking studio at art school 22 years ago and all the solvent fumes, dangerous acids, flammable papers/fabrics piled up in the bins and the very, very casual use of materials and equipment by students...... it makes me wonder how we ever got out of there 'alive' with all limbs in tact!🤣Thank you for sharing your wonderful process with us!!

[@valeriesyposz]

I feel you there😅
My university for undergrad was luckily quite strict with ventilation/respirators/other protective equipment. Then I went to do my MFA in Japan and the litho studio had no ventilation and nobody even used gloves😬
It’s really nice to get reacquainted with stone lithography in a much healthier environment.