First Etch of the Year

This is what I've been busy with the last few days - the first and important layer in my first etching assignment.

I had such a good time with this. I painted her onto the copper plate with white ground and then etched it for five minutes, and - even though she needs a little more work - I already love the result! Plus, it felt so soothing to work with the copper metal again and that big printing press!

Last year, etching made me so very nervous, this year somehow I feel totally grounded when in the print studio. And when I saw that "grounded" is the theme for this week's Illustration Friday, I thought I'd enter her! It's a good word for me!

Next, I'll etch at least one plate, but maybe even two more with background textures and then hopefully print a multi-layered print in color with this portrait as the base!! Which of course I'll share with you...

I had hoped to do some blog hopping this weekend, but I was busy every minute. Plus, the weather was so gorgeous that I spent as much time outside as possible when I wasn't printing.

Thank you for all your comments and for stopping by! I so appreciate it!! Every visit and every word!