DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19574#0328
ETC ' 301
of the figures, &c. require more or lefs ftrength or boldnefe,
Some of thefe points are as fine as needles, for the tender hair
ftrokes, and the remoter fainter objeifts; and others again as big
as bodkins, made oval-wife, for the deeper fhadows, and the
figures in the front of the work.
This being done, a rim or border of wax is raifed round the
circumference of the plate, which is to prevent the aqua-fortis
from running off at the edges ; and then it is poured on the plate
fo prepared.
The ground or varnifh, with which the plate is covered, being
impenetrable by the corrofive quality of the aqua-fortis, defends
the plate from it every-where, but in thofe lines or hatches cut
through it with the points ; which lying open, the water paffes
through them into the copper, and eats into it the depth requi-
red ; which being done, it is poured oft again.
It is to be obferved, there are two kinds of Etching grounds,
the one foft and the other hard.
There are likewife-tvvo kinds of aqua-fortis, the one white,
which is only uled with the foft ground, and is applied as has
been before directed ; and the other green, made of vinegar,
common fait, fal armoniac, and verdigreafe.
This is ufed indifferently with cither kind of ground.
The application of the green is fomewhat different Irom the
white.
This is poured on the plate, without any border, which alfb
is placed a little inclined to the end, that the water may run
off, which is received in a veffel placed underneath.
This pouring on of the aqua-fortis is feveral times repeated,
till it has eaten deep enough.
Nor muff, the aqua-fortis, of which kind foever it is, conti-
nue equally long, or be poured on equally often on all the parts
of the defign ; the remote parts muff be eaten more {lightly than
thofe nearer to the view.
For effecting this, they make ufe of a competition of oil and
greafe, with which they cover the parts that are to be bitten
no farther.
Or elfe they lay this compofition on, as a defenfatlve at fir ft,
and take it off again, when thev find it proper.
in a word, they are every now and then covering or unco-
vering one or another part of the defign, as occafion requires.
The management of the aqua-fortis is the principal thing in
the whole art of Etching, and that on which the effecf of the
whole very much depend^.
The workman muft be very obfervant as to the ground, that
it do not fail or give way in any part to the aqua-fortis; and if it
does, in any place, to fton up that place with common varnifh.
This
of the figures, &c. require more or lefs ftrength or boldnefe,
Some of thefe points are as fine as needles, for the tender hair
ftrokes, and the remoter fainter objeifts; and others again as big
as bodkins, made oval-wife, for the deeper fhadows, and the
figures in the front of the work.
This being done, a rim or border of wax is raifed round the
circumference of the plate, which is to prevent the aqua-fortis
from running off at the edges ; and then it is poured on the plate
fo prepared.
The ground or varnifh, with which the plate is covered, being
impenetrable by the corrofive quality of the aqua-fortis, defends
the plate from it every-where, but in thofe lines or hatches cut
through it with the points ; which lying open, the water paffes
through them into the copper, and eats into it the depth requi-
red ; which being done, it is poured oft again.
It is to be obferved, there are two kinds of Etching grounds,
the one foft and the other hard.
There are likewife-tvvo kinds of aqua-fortis, the one white,
which is only uled with the foft ground, and is applied as has
been before directed ; and the other green, made of vinegar,
common fait, fal armoniac, and verdigreafe.
This is ufed indifferently with cither kind of ground.
The application of the green is fomewhat different Irom the
white.
This is poured on the plate, without any border, which alfb
is placed a little inclined to the end, that the water may run
off, which is received in a veffel placed underneath.
This pouring on of the aqua-fortis is feveral times repeated,
till it has eaten deep enough.
Nor muff, the aqua-fortis, of which kind foever it is, conti-
nue equally long, or be poured on equally often on all the parts
of the defign ; the remote parts muff be eaten more {lightly than
thofe nearer to the view.
For effecting this, they make ufe of a competition of oil and
greafe, with which they cover the parts that are to be bitten
no farther.
Or elfe they lay this compofition on, as a defenfatlve at fir ft,
and take it off again, when thev find it proper.
in a word, they are every now and then covering or unco-
vering one or another part of the defign, as occafion requires.
The management of the aqua-fortis is the principal thing in
the whole art of Etching, and that on which the effecf of the
whole very much depend^.
The workman muft be very obfervant as to the ground, that
it do not fail or give way in any part to the aqua-fortis; and if it
does, in any place, to fton up that place with common varnifh.
This