Printmaking is always evolving – responding to modern materials and approaches – and SPW always strives to review and develop the techniques and practices.
Since our inception, Swansea Print Workshop has pursued the holy grail of etchers – to find safer alternatives which incorporate ease of use with the same level of creative opportunities as the traditional materials.
In 2013 as part of our Dylan Thomas Dialogues project, we offered two one-day workshops to contributing artists (emerging and experienced printmakers) with Andrew Baldwin, a printmaker who has developed etching techniques using vegetable-based etching grounds (product name: BIG).
This was an exciting development for SPW. There had been a confusing multiplicity of etching grounds available with some offering good creative outcomes but with disadvantages around environmental impact; others were safer but had limited applications.
Traditional intaglio techniques contain many hazardous materials and although we discouraged their use in our membership, the safer methods we were able to offer to date had been complicated and given inconsistent results. This resulted in a lack of take-up of the technique in the first place, a high dissatisfaction level in those who attempted the technique and frustration for those continuing to work this technique.
The feedback from the workshops was excellent. Andrew Baldwin was an inspirational tutor and all the artists realized the great potential in this method for both beginners and experienced artists.
We have over the years looked closely to Edinburgh Printmakers who have led much of the international research on safer etching. Following this project, SPW was confident that BIG was an appropriate investment for a long-term intaglio platform for our studio and we adopted Edinburgh Printmakers recommendations for using BIG at SPW.
Long-term impact
Adopting BIG for our etching techniques and mediums was vital for the profile and integrity of Swansea Print Workshop as a centre of excellence in printmaking:
- BIG grounds with their wide range of applications and consistent results would transform the user’s perception and engagement in this accessible and flexible technique.
- The BIG techniques offer more opportunities for spontaneity without the need for over-elaborate processing which can cause barriers to inexperienced users as well as those who lack confidence when the outcomes are not consistent.
- Printmaking offers unique opportunities for mark making. We feel that these safer techniques are particularly supportive of autographic approaches which will build on our support of drawing particularly in respect of drawing into printmaking.
- Safer etching techniques offer a safer working environment for all without the need for challenging extraction systems.
About Andrew Baldwin and ‘BIG’ Etching Grounds
In 2002 Andrew Baldwin, a practicing printmaker, developed and produced an innovative etching ground as part of a drive to reduce some of the more hazardous processes in printmaking; this he demonstrated to were at the International Printmaking Impact Conference in Bristol and more recently at Impact Dundee. Andrew Baldwin is now based at Trefeglwys Printmakers in Mid-Wales. (www.printmakingstudio.co.uk)
The following extract is from the website of Trefeglwys Printmakers:
“There are many alternatives to the traditional etching ground on the market many of which advertise themselves as the safer alternative. This may be the case but from my experience this is often to the detriment of quality and practicality. This common problem has put many printmakers off from trying alternatives, preferring to stay with the reliable time-honoured system. Did you know that a traditional etching ground contains arsenic, lead, mercury to name but a few toxic elements which cannot only be breathed in through your airways but also absorbed through your skin. With ‘Big’ I feel I have confident that but also a ground which is far more versatile. Because the main constituent is an ink it allows the artist printmaker to experiment with many different effects on their etching plate. Techniques ranging from soft and hard ground, photo etching, marbling, relief etching, sandpaper aquatints and coffee lift are but a few which can be explored. Big has been used at the School of Art University of Aberystwyth since 2002 and has been adopted in many other private and educational print workshops around the world.”
Trefeglwys Printmakers
Programme of Activities
- Artist talk by Andrew Baldwin
- A series of introductory and masterclass workshops working with BIG soft and hard ground. Suitable for experienced printmakers and those new to printmaking. For a profile of our BIG etching workshops please visit our Workshop Profile page
- Supported Studio Days – An opportunity to work alongside Andrew Baldwin to print plates in a supported environment.
- Peer Support Studio day – An opportunity to work in a relaxed and supportive environment alongside other members who are working with safe etching techniques.
This project took place in 2013 and was made possible by funding from the Arts Council of Wales through their Training Funds.
