Etching

In my Fashion Communication course at university I was given the opportunity to attend a workshop in Etching.  I was given a sheet of 1mm thick transparent perspex to etch my design onto.  I was also given an etching tool and sand paper to scratch the lines and patterns into the perspex.  

My chosen design was of one of my own illustrations of the Hindu elephant headed God, Ganesha.  I thought it would be an interesting illustration to use because there is a lot of intricate details in the original picture.  Ganesha wears a crown adorned in jewels and pearls, also several items of jewellery and is clutching a flower in one hand and an axe in the other.  I thought that these details would look very interesting and effective in my final prints.

After I had finished etching my design into the perspex sheet I was then able to print my design using a special ink, water-soaked paper and a printing press.

 Below is a photograph of my final finished print.  I have used sand-paper to gently scratch a textured surface onto the perspex, this created the darker lines around the edges which frame the Ganesh image.