Color etching (wet printing) technique execution exemplified by copying a fresco painting

Abstract

The present scientific paper is first to describe the core elements of the methodology developed by the Merited Artist of the Russian Federation, Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Arts, A. B. Popov as part of his class on color etching technique (wet printing) at the Academy of Watercolor and Fine Arts of Sergey Andriaka. The authorial technique in question is elaborated and explained through an exemplary task: a step-by-step reproduction of a temple fresco painting with the usage of color etching (i. e. three plate printing with blue, red, yellow paints). The article touches upon a wide variety of questions: preparation sequence of copper etching plates; practical principles for accurate сontouring; methods of creating images on the drawing plate; techniques for transferring sketches from a drafting plate; challenges of working with images split into separate colors and paint ovelaying; dependance of color on the depth of etching, the number of plates, the order of printing and the use of different sized aquatint grain. The paper is illustrated by a series of photographs demonstrating each stage of the process, as well as reproductions of color etchings by A. B. Popov accompanied by close-up shots of the artwork printed from three plates. Article materials are intended to be used as a part of an academic course on the color etching technique taught in art educational institutions at the pre-vocational, post-secondary non[1]tertiary and tertiary levels.