This hands-on course introduces participants to non-toxic, sustainable etching methods using copper sulphate and sea salt in both liquid and dry applications. Designed for artists and printmakers interested in safer studio practices, the course explores experimental approaches to etching while maintaining strong technical control and expressive potential.

Participants will learn how to prepare and maintain an etching bath, transfer and draw designs onto aluminium plates, and explore multiple etching strategies to achieve varied textures, tones, and depths. The course also includes multi-colour printing techniques, enabling participants to experiment with layered colour, selective inking, and expressive printing methods.

By the end of the course, participants will have etched and printed at least one metal plate and gained the knowledge required to continue working independently with sustainable etching processes.

2-Day Workshop (12 Hours Total / 6 Hours Per Day)
> for deeper exploration & refined results

DAY 1
- In-depth introduction to sustainable etching chemistry and safety
- Preparing and modifying etching baths
- Design development and plate preparation
- Exploring multiple etching approaches and mark-making
- Initial etching stages and test prints

DAY 2
- Continued etching and plate refinement
- Advanced multi-colour printing techniques
- Layering, viscosity, and selective inking
- Final printing session
- Group review and troubleshooting for independent practice

OUTCOME:
- Participants complete more developed plates, produce multi-colour prints, and gain confidence adapting sustainable etching methods to their own practice.

VISUAL QUALITIES OF SALT ETCHING ON ALUMINIUM:
- Soft atmospheric tone (like aquatint)
- Grainy blacks and greys
- Textural washes
- Beautiful accidental marks
- Strong line + tone combination
- Slightly more “alive” surface than zinc

MATERIALS PROVIDED:
1 20x20 cm aluminium plate
1 20x20 cm printing cardboard plate
4 sheets Fabriano Unica paper
Intaglio oil based inks
Tools
Blotting paper
Polycarbonate printing plate
Bitumen

Friedhard Kiekeben, Shatter-Ice. Gallery Giani, Frankfurt,2004. aluminium etched using 'salt etching'