2026 Printmaking - HARDGROUND ETCHING

Come create your own original limited edition prints from a brass plate and you will be taught an intensive range of hardground etching technical skills.

Hardground is an acid resist that is rolled onto the degreased copper plate and then smoked with tapers. An ETCHING NEEDLE removes the ground to expose the copper which is etched. This linear method achieves tonal and textural ranges by varying etching times, density of the line-work and contrasting line-work such as stippling and cross-hatching.
Image areas are cut or etched below the surface of the COPPER plate with FERRIC CHLORIDE ACID. Non-image areas are protected by an acid resist. Ink is forced into the lines and grooves. Excess ink is wiped away with SCRIM and finally by hand until the surface of the plate is clean and then a print is taken onto dampened paper with the help of a press. The pressure of the press forces the paper into the grooves and lines to pick up the ink.

ALL MATERIALS WILL BE SUPPLIED

Materials to supplied
1 brass plate, hardground, spray-paint, rags, methylated spirits, tapers, turpentine, calcium carbonate, ammonia, ferric chloride, etching ink, 200 gsm paper for 4 prints, newsprint and rollers. Notes will be supplied.

Material requirements

• 1 A5 Linear (linework no tone) image as a source idea.
• Rubber gloves & protective clothing,

Lecturer
Eunice Geustyn

Duration of course- 12 Hours
Saturday 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Class Numbers- Limited to 6 students

Cost - R1 500.00

ABOUT THE LECTURER
Eunice Geustyn is a master printmaker with extensive experience with tertiary students and publishing for renowned artists. Her own work is featured in notable collections and Eunice holds a Masters in Fine Art Degree.

If you have registered and your payment has been accepted by the site, you have been accepted to the class and will be added to our class register.

The response from the site is your proof of registration and we look forward to seeing you on the first day and time of the class at RPSA.

If no payment is accepted, we regret that the class is full.

RUTH PROWSE SCHOOL OF ART AND THE POPI ACT
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