In this special workshop, Painting Plants and AGALAB team up to explore line etching with natural inks.

Painting Plants is an open-source research garden and studio dedicated to making natural dyes, pigments and inks. Together, we’ll make a lake pigment from dried gallnuts, then experiment with modifiers to shift its colour—from warm brown to deep purple and grey. Mixed with oil, the pigment becomes an etching ink ready for printing. We’ll also consider the material qualities of plant-based inks: they are light-sensitive and can change over time.

The workshop covers the basics of line etching on zinc, starting from your own drawing. You’ll learn how to prepare the plate, transfer your drawing, etch lines using hard ground and copper sulphate, and print on paper with an etching press using plant-based ink.

Etching is a traditional intaglio printmaking technique in which lines and textures are etched into a metal plate. The resulting incised areas hold ink, creating a distinctive printed line. The technique lends itself equally well to illustrative and abstract work.

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Date: Sat. 3 October, 10:00–17:00
Max. number of participants: 6
Level: Beginners & Intermediate
Instructor: Michelangelo & Aster

Workshop fee: €200
The workshop fee covers most of the printing materials for the session.

What’s included:
Introduction to etching on zinc.
1 master (A6 zinc plate)
Ink made with Gallnut pigment
Paper, tools, and materials
Manual of tips for etching and natural inks

Important:
You must bring a drawing or idea for a project that you would like to reproduce on your plate. (maximum A6)

You go home with:
Your etched plate, which can be used again
A set of prints of your own design

Sign up: info@agalab.nl