How was it made? Etching | Printmaking techniques | Katherine Jones | V&A

For Katherine Jones, printmaking is a process that “lets you breathe”. Specialising in the technique of etching, Katherine sees it as a total medium, both “exciting and monotonous”, that is able to achieve a range of marks, from a painterly style to something that is hard and fine.

In this film, we follow her as she explains and demonstrates the process of sugar lift etching, creating multiple colour proofs of a pansy flower from the same plate.

Process:
The nature of etching: 00:00
Preparing and polishing the plate: 00:35
Laying wax ground over the plate: 01:07
Smoking the wax: 01:21
Using an etching needle: 01:33
Brushing on sugar lift solution: 02:28
Liquid ground applied: 03:09
Warm water poured over the plate: 03:20
Plate placed inside an aquatint box and resin dust heated: 03:40
Proofing: 05:07
Ink applied and excess removed: 05:32
Etching press: 05:40
Final prints: 06:26

[LedgerAndLace]

WOW. How we take for granted illustrations in books in our 21st century. What BEAUTIFUL art, Ms. Jones is making! And with a history lesson to boot. THANK YOU!

[janetpeck]

I love the way Katherine calmly takes us through the process of etching. I can see that she loves working as a Printmaker Artist. A stunning Video. Thank you Katherine Jones and the V&A.

[sacdigitaldesignweb]

My minor is printmaking when I was in college. All the techniques mentioned here are familiar. Printmaking is really a soothing process. I really recommend anyone with anxiety take printmaking class.

[Maryeet]

Etching is such a cool technique, and the amount of effort put into it and print making is astounding! It's so cool how you're able to use the same plate to get multiple results in the end.

[masatonagai]

Wonderful!! We had her show in Tokyo 🎉

[peoplecallmepeechez]

I love printmaking but i never realized how simple screenprinting is compared to other forms of printing

[sternenregen]

Wonderfull! That's whar we need in this times.

[darlingicarus]

beautiful work and a beautiful video! 🧡

[andreahegarty]

Personally, my favourite printmaker/ artist working today!!!

[BronxLens]

At 4:14 you mention " You make these... painterly, wash-like marks.", but the process is hidden from the camera by it showing only the exterior of the tray. Just FYI for future videos, if you are going to go through the trouble of describing what you are doing, it would make more sense to show it as well when possible. Keep up the otherwise great work :)

[penmuni]

This is not 'Etching'. This is sugar-lift, a completely different Printmaking technique. Fire your intern and correct the title please. Thanks.

[melissahauke]

Ilustrations, yes. But those blobs of paint? I don't get it. I thought it will magically reveal proper image at some point but this is disapointing.

[Devils-advocate]

Why would you invest in so much equipment and spend so much time and energy to create such a boring and basic image? I don’t get this at all

[jmgapa]

"a type of art that lets you breath" ... Thats where i realised she is probably a beginner. All her stuff looks random, like a 3yr old could make that. . . And you can tell she has no depth on the art form juat from how she narrates the thing, imo

[marialiyubman]

And then these people are like: the government should find my art!!!
Your art is blobs on a plate.
Yes, but technique. 🤷‍♀️
Yes, your technique is exactly like Francisco de Goya… 🤦🏻‍♀️