FEATURE
Soft ground
Soft ground was invented in the latter half of the eighteenth century as a means of reproducing the grainy qualities of chalk work. It was first used in England by Gainsborough and artists of the Norwich School.
TECHNIQUE
Soft ground
Soft ground was invented in the latter half of the eighteenth century as a means of reproducing the grainy qualities of chalk work. It was first used in England by Gainsborough and artists of the Norwich School.
Mixing hard ground with tallow, petroleum jelly, or lard makes soft ground. Because of the added grease the ground never hardens so lines, objects and textures can be easily impressed into it.
Soft ground is a great way into printmaking if you like textures and patterns, or want to recreate a pencil drawing effect. It can be used with other etching techniques on the same plate to achieve different layered effects.
more printmaking techniques
Carborundum
Abrasive carborundum grit (silicon carbide) is mixed with acrylic medium or glue and painted onto a flat surface, such as plastic or metal.
More Features
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“I would quite like a bit of a shout now.”
Artist Sarah Praill discusses the ideas and archeology behind her exhibition “To carry a feeling” at HAUSPRINT.
Incredibly dark and incredibly light
“When I’m sitting in a ballet rehearsal I don’t have access to a table or any printing things so I have to make the monoprints from sketches when I get home. There’s a lot of bodies, there’s a lot of faces, a lot of movement.”
Etching
Etching was originally invented as a method for adding decoration to armour during the Middle Ages. Artists began to use metal plates for printing in the 15th century, when Albrecht Durer made work on iron plates. Later artists such as Andrea Mantegna in Italy and Rembrandt in Holland went on to make etchings on copper.