Aluminium Etching with Lizzie Horne

Create your own etching!

Aluminium etching with copper sulphate is all about creating beautiful tonal contrasts as well as line. No experience is necessary for this class as you will be guided all the way. Printmakers who have worked with acids and aquatints will especially appreciate the simplicity of this method. No etching process is completely non-toxic, but etching aluminium with copper sulphate is a gentler alternative to acids.

If you have already tried aluminium etching, come along and take it to the next step.

Date | Saturday mornings 1, 8 & 15 March  (3 weeks)

Time | 9.45am – 12.45pm

Venue | Museum of Printing, located at the back of NERAM.

Cost | Friends of NERAM/Culture Club Members – $340, General – $377

Ages | Adults & 16yrs+

Materials | Participants to bring materials on the list below. Other materials included in price.

Min 4/Max 6

Materials required for class:

Bring drawings, sketches and/or black & white photos to be used as reference to create your images for etching. The plate size we will be using is approximately 22 x 15cm. Please bring scaled images to the first class.

Aluminium plates, etching solution, block-out, Charbonnel etching inks in a range of colours, and cleaning materials are included in the cost, as well as the use of all specialised equipment, but you will need to bring the following items:

• Visual arts diary or photocopy paper for notes and sketches
• Pencil, eraser, sharpener
• Roll of baking paper
• Roll of kitchen paper towelling
• Masking tape
• Disposable gloves – blue nitrile powder-free gloves are best (don’t get black) and are available at Rapid Clean.
• Etching paper – Hahnemuhle, Stonehenge or Somerset 250gsm – available at Armidale Framing and Art Supplies. Bring only 1 sheet to the first class, then purchase more as you need it. Requirements vary per student. We will discuss paper at the first class.
• 3 or 4 cheap paint brushes in a variety of sizes, including very fine and at least one small housepaint brush. You will be using these to paint bitumen onto your metal plate and they will most likely be ruined by the end of the course, so don’t buy expensive brushes!
• Disposable take-away container with lid
• Disposable mask (to avoid breathing particulates)
• Apron if you have one
• Closed-toe shoes essential

Image credit: Photo supplied by Lizzie Horne.

Terms and Conditions

• All bookings for events, art classes and workshops require payment in full at the time of booking
• A minimum number of 4 students required for classes to proceed, please book and pay by Friday 21st Feb 2025 to ensure classes go ahead
• Please be aware that once bookings close, we are unable to offer a refund
• If the class does not proceed, you will be refunded any cash amount
• NERAM events have a limited capacity and use a ticketing system. Bookings are essential
• Student contact details may be passed on to facilitators for communication purposes