The Creative Process and an Artistic Collaboration
Blog Post 3: The Creative Process and an Artistic Collaboration
Welcome! I hope you enjoy my third post in the series: From Concept to Creation: A Deep Dive into the Artist-Client Commission Journey.
In the previous entry of this series, I explained that my standard metalforming techniques were inadequate for achieving the intricate detail the client desired. The client requested a piece that would mimic the appearance of a painting, presenting several challenges for me: and so the questions I needed to address were:
- I am not a portrait artist.
- How do I paint onto copper and produce the required tactile finish for all the symbols and drawings?
After conducting extensive research and the artist Norman Ackroyd was an inspiration to me, so I opted to etch the copper panels. That was my second question answered. Although etching was a novel process for me, it is a technique with a long history. The practice of etching originated in the fourteenth century as a method for decorating armor. It was now essential for me to embrace this challenge.
- What is Etching?
The Metal Etching Process on Copper
Metal etching on copper is a meticulous and artful process that involves using chemicals to carve intricate designs into the metal surface. Here’s a detailed description of the steps involved:
Preparation of the Copper Surface:
Cleaning: The copper sheet is thoroughly cleaned to remove any grease, dirt, or oxidation. Ensuring a clean surface is crucial for the etching process to work effectively.
Drying: After cleaning, the copper is dried completely to avoid any water interfering with the next steps.
Applying the Resist:
Resist Application: A resist, which is a material that resists the etching solution, is applied to the areas of the copper that should remain untouched. This can be done using various methods such as painting on a resist with a brush, using a resist pen, or applying an adhesive resist film. I opted for the resist pen, the artisanal equivalent of a marathon, and trust me, I went through them like a kid with candy.
Design Transfer: My hand-drawn designs were applied using these pens in a reversed, mirror image format.
The Etching Process:
Etching Solution: The prepared copper plate is then immersed in an etching solution, typically ferric chloride for copper. Ferric chloride reacts with the exposed copper, dissolving it and creating the etched design.
Monitoring: It is essential to carefully oversee the etching process to achieve the desired depth of the design. The duration of this process can vary significantly, ranging from a few minutes to several hours, influenced by factors such as the complexity and detail of the design, as well as the temperature and other variables. It is important to understand that this stage is critical; improper timing, whether too short or too long, can result in wasted effort and materials.
Halting the Etching Process:
Rinsing: After reaching the desired depth of etching, the copper plate is carefully extracted from the etching solution and thoroughly rinsed with water to halt the chemical reaction.
Neutralising: Following the rinsing process, the copper is typically neutralised using a baking soda solution to effectively eliminate any remaining acidic residues. Additionally, it is important to completely remove the resist by employing appropriate solvents. Baking soda: the unsung hero of kitchen chemistry and copper artistry alike!
Finishing Touches:
Patination (Optional): To enhance the character and depth of copper, various treatments can be applied to develop a patina, which alters the metal's colour. However, I choose in this instance to maintain the natural hue of the copper.
Sealing (Essential): Applying a high-quality clear sealant is crucial to protect the etched design and ensure the preservation of the copper's appearance.
