The first step is to do an off set aquatint texture to the plate. Next do a drawing either with heated vegetable grease or liquid latex. The problem with using vegetable grease is as it cools it thickens and doesn’t disperse. I prefer using liquid latex. (If you have a latex allergy you should not be using this method.) Thin out your latex with water and add food color to pigment. Draw directly onto the plate. You will be able to get the finest details and marks with your brush. A good way to keep your brush from clogging up with latex is prior to use dip your brush into some vegetable oil soap like Murphy’s Oil Soap.
Take acrylic floor polish that had been colored with food color and pour 1 coat over the plate. Let it dry and repeat.
When dry, you can take and rub off the latex with your finger. You can also use a rubber pick up or rubber cement eraser sold by Dick Blick.
Deoxidize your plate prior to etching and etch. The latex mixture is also an excellent stop out. It maybe a little fragile in the etch so you don’t want to be rubbing your fingers over it to see the depth of your line.
For a list of suppliers, click here.
