Skies

Smoking the plate

Smoking the plate is an extra process you can add when preparing your plate for etching. You only do it when using hard ground, and can do it with aluminum, zinc, or copper plate.

What is "Smoking the plate"?
It is darkening the surface of the hard ground-covered-plate using smoke from a flame.

Why smoke the plate?
This isn't a necessary part of the etching process but it can help in two ways. (1) The much darker surface means you can very easily see the lines you have drawn into the ground, and (2) It can serve to cover up any small holes you have left in the ground, if for some reason you didn't roll it on very well.

And how?
After applying the hard ground, take a pair of pliers with which to hold onto the plate. You need this because it'll heat up and you'll burn your hands otherwise. Hold it upside down (hard ground side down) over a flame and move it around.



Be careful:
• NOT to hold it in any one spot for too long.
• NOT to scratch the plate with the pliers. If you take some ground off, just cover it with bitumen after you're finished drawing.

It tends to work better if you have lots of little candles (unlike what I have in the photo), and light a few of them to get a wider flame.

A smoked plate:


A drawing on a smoked plate:

Printmaking in Sydney

Here is a list of the printmaking classes in Sydney, Australia, which are not part of TAFE/university courses. If you know of any others, please post them in the comments box and I will add them to the list.

Warringah Printmakers Studio
• Offers an open access studio for members who have gone through a proficiency check
• Holds weekly classes in of intaglio, relief, woodblock, waterless lithography and more. Various days and times to choose from.
• Holds a few masterclasses throughout the year
• Has at least one annual exhibition for members, with opportunities for more
• Promotes safe printmaking techniques
• 1 term is 9 weeks. Cost varies according to classes taken.
www.printstudio.org.au
343 Condamine Street, Manly Vale. Tel: (02) 9949 2325

Hazelhurst Gallery
• Holds 2 weekly printmaking classes
• One or two masterclasses during the year
• 1 term is 10 weeks, $236
www.hazelhurst.com.au/ssc/hazel.nsf/
782 Kingsway St, Gymea. Tel: (02) 8536 5700

Waverly Woolahra Art School
• Various types of intaglio and relief printmaking
• 1 term is 9 weeks, $272
www.wwac.org.au/index.php
138 Bondi Road, Bondi. Tel: (02) 9387 2461

Pine Street Creative Arts Centre
• Weekly classes, from beginners to advanced
• 1 term is 9 weeks, $235
www.pinestreet.com.au
64 Pine Street, Chippendale Tel: (02) 9245 1503

College of Fine Arts
• Excellent facilities and teachers
• Probably won't run any short courses during 2010 and early 2011 because they are undergoing major refurbishment
http://www.cofa.unsw.edu.au
Corner of Oxford Street and Greens Road, Paddington

Info is correct as of April 2010.

Forgetting paint

I keep forgetting how much I love painting when it turns out well.

I don't deal with hardship and hard work and trouble very well and in fact I like to not deal with it at all. If something is difficult I tend to give up unless I have fear hanging over me that someone will give me an even more difficult time of it if I give up (eg tutors, bosses). I grew up spoiled.

Instead of breaking up with painting for months at a time every time a difficult level comes up I should just get over it or keep trying to fix it or change tactics; do ANYTHING as long as the breaking up doesn't happen. It is so worth it.

I just wish someone would pay me to do this. Dignity aside, money is frequently an effective creative motivator.