Artwork description:

The expressive style of this contemporary landscape etching, was inspired by time spent living in Paris, close to the Jardin du Luxembourg, a favourite place to spend time and sketch.

This is the area where the chess players gather to sit and play in the shade of the trees. However, by the end of the afternoon, the space is left quiet and tranquil.

The shadows are long beneath the trees, which are in billowy full leaf, offering cool shade, with sunlight spilling through and lighting the path beyond.

This etching was created on a zinc plate. I used the processes of aquatint (melting resin dust onto the plate with a flame, to allow the ink to 'grip'), sugar lift, stop out varnish and litho crayon. The plate is placed in acid, between each stage, in order to 'burn' small pits into the surface, thus the design is 'etched' into the zinc.
Each individual print is complex to produce. High quality, professional etching ink is smeared across the plate (catching in the small pits created), then selectively removed.
The image is created by placing the inked plate onto the bed of a traditional etching press, with a sheet of damp, heavy 'Somerset' white paper, laid on top. The press is then 'hand wound', pressing the plate and paper together, transferring the image from plate to paper.

Image/plate size 32 x 30cm
Paper size 42.5 x 40cm

Each etching is signed, dated, titled and numbered beneath the image (see additional photograph). A signed Certificate of Authenticity will be provided.

Artwork shipped carefully wrapped in tissue, in a sturdy cardboard tube, within five working days.

Tracking code provided.

Materials used:

Somerset printmaking paper, etching inks, zinc plate, acid, aquatint & etching press.

Tags:

#landscape #urban #shadow #black and #contemporary #expressive #trees #romantic #france #paris #park #peaceful #french landscape #park life #jardin du