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The etching process
Description of and pictured in stages the etching process Jan Montyn uses to make his art works.
| Etching process, stages
|
Description
|
 Metal preparation |
An especially prepared metal plate is cleaned and put on the working table. The plate consists of a metal sheet that is coated with an acid resistant layer. Later in the process the acid only bites the metal areas on which the coating has been removed. |
 Scratching equipment selection |
Equipment is selected, which is used to scratch the metal plate. It consists of a hardened steel needle in different sizes and shapes. It is Jan Montyn's experience that makes him decide what equipment is selected and how it is used. Although Jan Montyn says that he is fascinated by the sometimes non-predictable results of the etching process, he knows how the acid will behave when it bites the metal plate in relation to the usage of certain scratching equipment. |
 Metal scratching |
The metal plate is scratched. By scratching the acid resistant layer, parts of that layer are removed and scratches are made into the metal. It will ultimately determine the nature of the image. The type of scratching equipment, the pressure put on it and the angle all determine what results the acid will later have on the metal plate. Note that printing from the metal plate results in a mirror image of the image on the plate. The artist has to think mirrorwise when etching the plate! It is sometimes visible in Jan Montyn's artworks that some words or characters seem written mirrorwise. In fact these words have been written correctly. Words that are readable on the etchings were written mirrorwise by Jan Montyn while etching. |
 Paper preparation |
The paper is prepared for the printing by making it wet. By wetting the paper, the ink used in the printing will be transferred to the paper more effectively. |
 Final metal plate preparation |
Final preparation of the plate is done to assure that the scratches are clean and can be bitten by the acid. This to optimize the desired result and to guarantee ink and color transfer when printing from the acid inflicted metal plate. |
 Acid biting preparation |
The acid biting is prepared. This is done with high caution, because Chloridhydrate acid is used. Somehow Jan Montyn seems to have become immune though to the attacks of the aggressive acid. During the acid biting he touches the plate with his bare hands without injuring his fingers! |
 Acid application |
The acid is applied to the plate. The acid has to be spread as evenly as possible to assure that all areas of the plate are exposed to the same amount of acid for the biting. |
 Acid biting |
The acid bites the metal plate. Heavy oxidation produces smoke, as if the metal is burning. |
 Acid bitten metal plate cleaning |
The acid bitten metal plate is cleaned from all acid residue to assure a clean removal of the acid resistant layer and application of the paint. |  Layer removal |
The remaining acid resistant layer of the acid bitten metal plate is removed. What will be left is a structured surface of the plate bitten by the acid in the areas that were scratched. Here the "mother" of the artwork is being created. |
 Paint selection |
The paint is selected. It is once more the artist's experience to know how paint and colours will behave while being pressed to the paper from the metal plate. |  Press preparation |
The press is prepared. Adjustments depend on how much pressure is required related to the size of the plate, the scratches, the paint used etc. |
 Paint application |
Paint is applied in different tones and different amounts, all depending on the artist's desired results. |  Press application |
The painted metal plate is applied to the press. This is where the actual creation and printing of the artwork takes place. |
 Press application |
The pressing is done. The result will be a unique series of limited prints. Note that printing is done from a "mother" (the metal plate), so it can be re-used and experimented with, such as using different colours, etching the same plate with additional scratching and acid biting. In Jan Montyn's work it is often seen that he re-uses plates to experiment with the same image in different ways. |
 Etching finalization |
The etching is finalized. Finishing touches are done to make details and certain areas of tones exactly according to the artist's desired results. |
 Etching signing |
The etching is dried and signed. An artwork has been born. |
