Etching is a deep‑printing technique: an image is created by chemically corroding a metal plate (copper, zinc, iron) with acid.
Process:
Apply acid‑resistant varnish to the plate.
Scratch the design with a needle (expose metal).
Etch with acid (create recesses).
Remove varnish, fill recesses with ink.
Print under pressure.
Variations:
Line etching — classic linear image;
Aquatint — tonal transitions via resin dust etching;
Lavis — blurred patches from brush‑applied acid;
Drypoint — velvety line with halo (no etching);
Soft ground — textured pencil‑like strokes (drawing through paper on sticky varnish).
