Course Description

Discover the timeless art of line etching and learn how to transform your drawings into beautifully printed original works.

In this comprehensive online course, professional printmaker Francesco Geronazzo guides you through every stage of the traditional line etching process, from preparing and drawing on a metal plate to acid biting, inking, and printing your final edition. Combining centuries-old techniques with practical studio knowledge, this course is designed to give you the confidence to create professional-quality etchings in your own studio.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced artist looking to expand your printmaking practice, you’ll develop a solid understanding of the materials, tools, and techniques that make line etching one of the most expressive forms of printmaking.

In this course you will learn

• The history and principles of line etching
• Essential tools, materials, and studio safety
• How to prepare and polish an etching plate
• Applying and working with hard ground
• Transferring and drawing your image onto the plate
• Safe and effective acid biting techniques
• Cleaning, correcting, and refining your plate
• Professional inking and wiping methods
• Printing on an etching press
• Evaluating, signing, and editioning your prints

Techniques Taught

• Materials needed for a traditional etching session
• Considerations about what design to use
• Preparation of the metal plate
• Coating of the printing plate
• How to transfer any design onto your printing plate
• Mark making test
• Etching your plate with different tools
• Preparing the plate for the etching bath
• Preparing the etching solution
• Etching bath process
• Cleaning the plate
• Improving the plate with a second state
• Preparation of the cotton paper for the printing session
• Proofing the plate relief/intaglio
• Considerations and references