June 2007
Seaside Art Gallery Newsletter
What is an Etching?
In This Issue
Porcelain Painting
Etching Demonstration
Porcelain Painting is Created in Layers of Color
 
China is fine porcelain that has been fired to bisque, glazed and fired a second time.
Yellow Roses 
The fine art of china painting is a process in which very pale washes of paint are applied to the china in coats or layers, and fired between each coat of paint. The paint fuses or bonds with the glaze. The glaze on a piece of china can only accept a small amount of paint at one time, so the paint must be applied in very small amounts. China paints are translucent, so that the colors that are applied on the first coat of paint can be seen even after the last coat of paint has been applied.
 
The first coat is applied very faintly, with only the brightest and lightest of colors being applied. The piece of china is then fired in a kiln to approximately 1400 degrees. After the china has cooled sufficiently, the china is removed, and a second coat of paint is applied.
 
The process is repeated until the desired depth of color is achieved. Each piece of china is painted and fired at least three times and many pieces get painted and fired 6 to 8 times to reach the desired effect.
 
Gold is applied on top of the glaze and then fired. Many pieces of antique china have some wear visible on the gold - simply because the gold does not become part of the glaze. The gold that is used to rim fine china is 22 kt. It is sometimes applied with the finger to get a fine, consistent band of gold.
 
You can read the artist's biography and see more of her art at Hebe Wiseman
Greetings!
 
Summer is officially here!  We are excited that David Hunter will be here to demonstrate how an etching is pressed and Hebe Wiseman will be here painting on porcelain. 
 
The dates are July 5, 6, & 7 from 10-2 & 2-5 each day. They will be happy to dedicate their art for you while they are here. If you can not be here during the show, give us a call or contact us by email for help.  These make wonderful personalized gifts.

What is an Etching?

ToughFellow
 
Etching was perfected in Germany during the first quarter of the 16th Century. The design for an etching is created on a metal plate. The earliest etchings were done on iron but after 1520 copper was the most common metal. Zinc has gained in popularity in the last 100 years. The metal plate is covered with an acid resisting ground (a combination of wax, mastic and asphaltum). The artist draws through this ground with an etching needle. When the plate is exposed to acid (nitric or other mordants) the areas where the ground has been removed through drawing will be eaten away to create the design on the metal. The variation in the strength of the line is controlled by the number of times that the artist places the plate in the acid bath.

After the plate has been "bitten" , the artist applies a very thick ink over the plate and then forces the ink into the lines. The surface ink is wiped off and a damp piece of paper is laid onto the plate. The ink is forcibly transferred to the paper by a special etching press. When the paper is removed from the plate, an original etching can be seen. Another etching can be created, but the artist must ink the plate each time. Most modern etchings are then signed and numbered to establish an edition. While this process is fairly easy to describe it requires a high degree of skill on the part of the artist.

Some of the most celebrated artists that worked in this medium are Rembrandt, Whistler and Picasso.
Illustrated is "Tough Fellow" by famed dog artist, Morgan Dennis. You can see more etchings at Dennis
Emma's ChairDavid Hunter Demonstrates Etching.
 
Here is your opportunity to actually see how an etching is pressed. 
 
You can ask the artist questions and watch him work. He is also happy to personalize any of his art for you.
 
He will be pressing his new etching of the Hatteras Lighthouse.
 
You can see more of his art at Hunter
 
Click here for details about the etching Emma's Chair
 
We look forward to hearing from you!
 
All the best,
 
Everyone at Seaside Art Gallery
 
1-800-828-2444

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