ANSWERS
What is an Etching?
An etching is a print taken from a sheet of metal, usually copper, zinc or steel. The metal plate is covered with an acid resistant ground through which the artist draws an image, thus exposing the metal surface beneath. The metal plate is then immersed in an acid bath where the acid etches or 'bites' the unprotected metal. After cleaning off the 'ground', the plate is ready for printing. A soft etching ink is spread over the surface of the plate and then wiped so that the ink remains only in the etched lines. Printing involves the plate being put through an etching press under tremendous pressure, so that the dampened paper is forced into the inked lines and textures of the plate creating an image.
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