Solarplate Etching of Coin

Last year I was commissioned by a friend to make a solarplate etching of an ancient Greek coin that she had recently received as a gift. I thought that was an interesting idea! It's very small so we had to find some old photographs of coins to help me figure out how the coins really looked since they are quite worn from use. Here's how it came out. I had a mat which was just the right color, I thought!

Coin of Antimachus 11

5"x 8"

Goldfinch Solarplate Print

I finished my drawing on the solarplate and printed it. I used an oil-based printing ink for this one. I tried a water-based ink and it's almost as crisp as long as I have just slightly damp paper. You can't go back and work on the exposed plate to make any changes but you can go back to the glass plate and work on that. Then expose another solarplate. I'm just learning about the peculiarities of solarplate etching! Of course there's a learning curve with every new process you try. This one will be shorter than learning copperplate etching and you can't argue with that!




I can print this in a different color if I want.
Or add color with watercolor.
Or expose it to the light for a different time for a lighter print.

Goldfinch Solarplate Drawing on Glass

I thought I'd try another solarplate etching. This time the drawing is from a painting that I did earlier. I chose a portion of it to create a small black and white drawing on the glass. It might be a bit of a busy design but I'd like to see how it comes out. It's not quite finished but when it is, I'm going to expose it on a solarplate in the sun and then print it. Oh man, I love drawing on the glass. Drawing can be so relaxing.....ah....
Sorry I got lost there for a moment. Printing results are coming soon!