Etching

The technique of etching has been around since the time of Rembrandt, if not before. Generally, a man named Daniel Hopfer of Germany was credited with developing this method in the 1800s. There are three different 'classic' etching techniques--aquatint, dry point, and Vernis-Mous. Etching is a multiple step process. First, an artist creates an incision into what's known as the ground, or base material. The ground is then submerged into acid, which eats away at the areas of incision, forming rivets, patterns, and divots.An etch-maker can employ several tools to get effects. The simplest soft-ground technique involves drawing lines into the ground vis-à-vis a tool and then submerging the plate into weak acid. Another technique involves laying down a piece of paper over the ground and drawing a fine print into the paper to create an impression before the acid bath.Thanks to the advent of modern chemical and industrial etching techniques, many of today's artists have turned to alternative, faster types of etching. Instead of submerging grounds or plates in acid, these artists start out with acidic grounds and submerge them in basic solutions. Alternately, they play with the chemical etching reaction to forge new kinds of distortion.Experimental etchers often work in close collaboration with industrial chemists to explore new ways to alter materials. Traditional etchers design primarily for the purpose of embroidering. Experimental etchers look for more diverse commercial applications of their work. Big engineering firms often copyright their etching techniques to prevent other firms from creating designs with them.