DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20658#0343
ETCHING. 329
asphaltum and mastic must be reduced to a very fine powder as before,, and gradually mixed
with the wax which is melted over a gentle fire. The composition is then poured into water,
and made into balls as the others.
Some use a ground formed only of six ounces of virgin-wax, four ounces of mastic, and two
of asphaltum, prepared as above directed.
The ground generally used by engravers is one of the foregoing : but it must be observed
that the ground should differ in consistence according to the temperature of the weather, being
made harder in summer, and of a softer nature in cold weather.
AVhen the ground is to be laid on, the plate must be heated to a sufficient degree, either over
a charcoal-fire or by a fire of common coal, so that it may not be smoked. For this purpose
a hand-vice is fixed to the most convenient part of the plate, by which it may be held in the
hand. When the plate changes colour, or rejects the fluid when spit upon, it is sufficiently
heated. The ball of ground is then rubbed on, being tied in a piece of thin silk ; and as it is
rubbed genthy over the plate the heat melts the composition through the silk and the rubbing
is continued till it be distributed over every part of the plate. The ground is then beat with the
dabber (which is a piece of cotton tied up in silk) to render it perfectly smooth and uniformly
thin throughout. Great dexterity is required in dabbing the ground, to render it of an
uniform thickness ; for if some parts be thicker than others, it will deceive the engraver in his
etching and biting in of his work. The ground is next to be smoked, by holding it over the
flame of a lamp, which emits a copious vapour, or two or three common candles united together
will answer the purpose; observing to move the plate about, so that the smoke may pervade
every part of the ground.
- The plate being cold will be ready to receive the outlines of the print or drawing, which is to
be traced on the ground in the following manner:—
Rub the back of the print, drawing or design, of which you intend to engrave a plate, with
the scrapings of red chalk, or flake white or black-lead powder, or any other substance which
will readily impart a legible mark ; then place this coloured side of the drawing upon the
ground of the copper-plate, making it fast at each corner with soft wax. Place the small board
called the etching-board, over that part of the drawing upon which you are not employed, to
rest your hand upon, to prevent your hand bruising the ground; and with a blunt etching-
needle trace lightly the outlines of the drawing ; and also the breadth of the shadow, and the
back-side of the drawing, which is coloured, will communicate similar lines to the ground of the
copper-plate. The tracing must not be performed too heavily, otherwise the ground will be
broken. During the operation of tracing it is necessary frequently to lift up one corner of the^
drawing, to examine whether every part be traced, before the drawing be taken off the plate j
as then it would be very difficult to replace it in its former position.
The tracing being completed the drawing is to be removed, and the subject is ready for
etching.
The principles of etching are very simple, and are easily performed by those who have but
a moderate proficiency in the art of design, being little more than drawing the outlines through
the ground upon the copper with a pointed needle. There are several of these instruments
employed in the art, according to the breadth of the strokes required to be made. They are
nearly similar to sewing-needles/but stronger, and inserted into handles from four to five inches
4 p iong,
asphaltum and mastic must be reduced to a very fine powder as before,, and gradually mixed
with the wax which is melted over a gentle fire. The composition is then poured into water,
and made into balls as the others.
Some use a ground formed only of six ounces of virgin-wax, four ounces of mastic, and two
of asphaltum, prepared as above directed.
The ground generally used by engravers is one of the foregoing : but it must be observed
that the ground should differ in consistence according to the temperature of the weather, being
made harder in summer, and of a softer nature in cold weather.
AVhen the ground is to be laid on, the plate must be heated to a sufficient degree, either over
a charcoal-fire or by a fire of common coal, so that it may not be smoked. For this purpose
a hand-vice is fixed to the most convenient part of the plate, by which it may be held in the
hand. When the plate changes colour, or rejects the fluid when spit upon, it is sufficiently
heated. The ball of ground is then rubbed on, being tied in a piece of thin silk ; and as it is
rubbed genthy over the plate the heat melts the composition through the silk and the rubbing
is continued till it be distributed over every part of the plate. The ground is then beat with the
dabber (which is a piece of cotton tied up in silk) to render it perfectly smooth and uniformly
thin throughout. Great dexterity is required in dabbing the ground, to render it of an
uniform thickness ; for if some parts be thicker than others, it will deceive the engraver in his
etching and biting in of his work. The ground is next to be smoked, by holding it over the
flame of a lamp, which emits a copious vapour, or two or three common candles united together
will answer the purpose; observing to move the plate about, so that the smoke may pervade
every part of the ground.
- The plate being cold will be ready to receive the outlines of the print or drawing, which is to
be traced on the ground in the following manner:—
Rub the back of the print, drawing or design, of which you intend to engrave a plate, with
the scrapings of red chalk, or flake white or black-lead powder, or any other substance which
will readily impart a legible mark ; then place this coloured side of the drawing upon the
ground of the copper-plate, making it fast at each corner with soft wax. Place the small board
called the etching-board, over that part of the drawing upon which you are not employed, to
rest your hand upon, to prevent your hand bruising the ground; and with a blunt etching-
needle trace lightly the outlines of the drawing ; and also the breadth of the shadow, and the
back-side of the drawing, which is coloured, will communicate similar lines to the ground of the
copper-plate. The tracing must not be performed too heavily, otherwise the ground will be
broken. During the operation of tracing it is necessary frequently to lift up one corner of the^
drawing, to examine whether every part be traced, before the drawing be taken off the plate j
as then it would be very difficult to replace it in its former position.
The tracing being completed the drawing is to be removed, and the subject is ready for
etching.
The principles of etching are very simple, and are easily performed by those who have but
a moderate proficiency in the art of design, being little more than drawing the outlines through
the ground upon the copper with a pointed needle. There are several of these instruments
employed in the art, according to the breadth of the strokes required to be made. They are
nearly similar to sewing-needles/but stronger, and inserted into handles from four to five inches
4 p iong,