Giclee print of etching hand finished with gold leaf

Creating an etching is quite an involved process and I thought you might like to see the fabulous printing press used. Once you have created your design on the metal plate, you then have to block out sections of the plate before placing it in acid.  The acid literally etches into the plate so the longer you leave it in the acid the darker the colour.  With careful timing you can achieve beautiful shades.  You then have to "ink up" the plate before rolling it through the press to achieve the print.

 

I then had the the etching transformed into a high quality giclee print to which I add the gold leaf by hand so each artwork is completely unique.