ETCHING | Hexahedron
TITLE : Hexahedron
METHOD: Copper Etching with Aquatint
EDITION SIZE : 1/40
ART (PLATE SIZE): 10 x 5.5 cm
PAPER: Somerset Satin, Soft White (5.5" x 7.5”)
INK: Strong & Soft Black Etching Ink.
MOUNT: Size: 6” x 8” (Aperture 3.5” x 5”) Larson Juhl 1.4mm mount & backing board in vanilla, with white core (Presented in a protective cellophane bag)
The piece features a stylised beetles in our signature drawing style (a mix of geometry & organic lines, with fine lines and micro dots)
The beetle is inspired by a Jewel Weevil Beetle. As their name suggests, jewel weevils are living gems. Their elytra, or wing covers, boast a variety of shimmery patterns etched in everything from brilliant turquoise and shiny gold to pale orange and the prettiest of pink. Jewel weevils can sense the smallest vibrations, so that if a predator bumps the branch they’re standing on, they instinctively dive to the forest floor below. They then go belly up, their dark colour blending into the ground.
A hexahedron is any polyhedron with six faces. This piece feature tan impossible Cube.
The impossible cube or irrational cube is an impossible object invented by M.C. Escher for his print Belvedere (1958). It is a two-dimensional figure that superficially resembles a perspective drawing of a three-dimensional cube, with its features drawn inconsistently from the way they would appear in an actual cube.
The Cube is the second Platonic solid composed of six square faces that meet each other at right angles and has eight vertices and 12 edges. The Cube is associated with the element of Earth and corresponds to the Root Chakra. The Hexahedron sits flat, firmly rooted to its spot, connecting with the earth and nature. It has a solid foundation and symbolises stability and grounding energy.
Each etching is signed & numbered on the front by the artist, in pencil.
Intaglio etching is a labour intensive printmaking technique that involves incising the lines & dots onto a copper plate, with a sharp point. It is then etched in Ferric Chloride, which bites the design into the copper plate. This was repeated 5 times on this plate. Along with 5 aquatint sprays (which create a tooth within the lines)
The plate is then inked with etching ink. The ink sits in the grooves, whilst the surface ink is wiped off. The ink is then drawn from the incised lines, onto dampened paper, using an etching press.
Each print takes a long time to produce.
These highly detailed, intricate plates ensure each print is unique, making every piece a true one-of-a-kind etching.
I print in small editions, keeping the work precious and limited.
Please Note - Each print may vary slightly , as they are individually printed by hand.
The making of: Project Notes