This piece was created to illustrate women as tools in the advertisement world. I used Art Nouveau as a guide to my illustrations and as an inspiration. I self-made this piece by etching plastic and inking crevices, and using rolling press machine to make ink copies.
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Process
Brainstorming1) Create at least five sketches revolving around the theme you've chosen. (Keep in mind you must trace the plastic plate on paper and draw your sketch into it in order for sketch size and plastic plate to match).
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Tools2) After choosing the sketch, begin gathering the materials needed.
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Etching |
Printing |
3) Etch your chosen sketch onto the Plastic Etching Plates (Make sure you etch in all the details and be as detailed as possible for the best look and best result).
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4) After Etching, begin the printing process. I found it very difficult in creating the print, I either have half dark half light side or all light, it was very annoying. I finally was able to get a print, which it the result of not scrubbing too hard and getting the ink out of the crevices.
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Tries & Failures
5) It may take many prints to get the right one in, however, don't give up. When you are finished, leave prints on a rack to dry.
Reflection
When I heard about the project, I was expecting to fail miserably, I never really think that any of my artwork would turn out anything but well. However, I had to go along, it was an assignment after all. Since I had to have a theme, I decided to keep it the same as my previous art piece, Block Print. I knew I made a good decision because my obsession with sketching the female figure would allow me to create something that I'd be proud of.
After I had my sketches, I began etching my chosen image onto the plastic plate, and I have to admit, It was a frustrating and tiring process. At first, I was etching very hard and I continued to mess up the flowers since that was the first part I started etching. I was not consistent with keeping my etched lines neat. To me, it looked sloppy and needed saving. However, I had to continue if I wanted to complete my project on the due time. An hour into etching, my hands felt like lead and was in pain, but I knew I had to get it done, could not afford to complain. Although, I did find the process easier and knew how hard or soft I had to etch in order to achieve the look I was going for. Also, what made me extremely mad was that the way I etched her spine did not come out great and was misplaced towards the bright side of the body rather than the center. I used the crosshatching shading technique on the back side and hair and also stippling shading technique on some of the flowers.
When I finished my etching process, although my hand was in agony, I had completed a step and could move on to printing. While I was spreading ink onto the plate, I kept making the same mistake of either forgetting to set the time or failing to place dry point paper into the bucket of water, it was frustrating. Another thing that annoyed me greatly was scrubbing the ink off of the plate. I scrubbed too hard which removed some ink out of the crevices and made it look faded and did not have enough ink to give it a strong print. While I was printing, I could not properly turn the knob of the rolling press machine, therefore I had to go slow. I ended up with thirteen copies, I always knew I wasn't great at making prints, but the more prints I made, the more experience I gained which I didn't mind, but I did mind the sluggish process since I wanted to finish and start on my next project.
My final print was my best, however, if I had more time I would create even more prints since my final print does not look clean to me, although I did achieve the amount of ink I was going for. If I were to create another dry point, I would keep my theme because I am very engrossed in it, however, I would try to create better sketches and achieve more intricate lines and details which would display the piece even more beautifully.
This project was great and I enjoyed creating it, it gave me the experience to better myself with the next projects. It also gave me the opportunity to work with different tools and ways of creating prints.
After I had my sketches, I began etching my chosen image onto the plastic plate, and I have to admit, It was a frustrating and tiring process. At first, I was etching very hard and I continued to mess up the flowers since that was the first part I started etching. I was not consistent with keeping my etched lines neat. To me, it looked sloppy and needed saving. However, I had to continue if I wanted to complete my project on the due time. An hour into etching, my hands felt like lead and was in pain, but I knew I had to get it done, could not afford to complain. Although, I did find the process easier and knew how hard or soft I had to etch in order to achieve the look I was going for. Also, what made me extremely mad was that the way I etched her spine did not come out great and was misplaced towards the bright side of the body rather than the center. I used the crosshatching shading technique on the back side and hair and also stippling shading technique on some of the flowers.
When I finished my etching process, although my hand was in agony, I had completed a step and could move on to printing. While I was spreading ink onto the plate, I kept making the same mistake of either forgetting to set the time or failing to place dry point paper into the bucket of water, it was frustrating. Another thing that annoyed me greatly was scrubbing the ink off of the plate. I scrubbed too hard which removed some ink out of the crevices and made it look faded and did not have enough ink to give it a strong print. While I was printing, I could not properly turn the knob of the rolling press machine, therefore I had to go slow. I ended up with thirteen copies, I always knew I wasn't great at making prints, but the more prints I made, the more experience I gained which I didn't mind, but I did mind the sluggish process since I wanted to finish and start on my next project.
My final print was my best, however, if I had more time I would create even more prints since my final print does not look clean to me, although I did achieve the amount of ink I was going for. If I were to create another dry point, I would keep my theme because I am very engrossed in it, however, I would try to create better sketches and achieve more intricate lines and details which would display the piece even more beautifully.
This project was great and I enjoyed creating it, it gave me the experience to better myself with the next projects. It also gave me the opportunity to work with different tools and ways of creating prints.