Copper Plate Etching: Ancient way of replicating images experienced by Chinese fans

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Intaglio printmaking, a European way of making copies of art that goes back to the Middle Ages, has evolved into an art form of its own. Our reporter Li Qiong takes us to an etching studio in Beijing for a glimpse of the technique.

Copper plate etching is a traditional form of printmaking that delivers beautifully crisp line work and a unique aesthetic. It saw fast growth in Europe during the Renaissance, with a number of masterpieces emerging and being passed down.

LI GEYIN, FOUNDER GeyinArt STUDIO "In the early stages, engraving art was mainly used for making copies. The technique allows painters to sell as many of their paintings as possible. As the art developed over the years, the printing method turned into an art form in its own right, like oil paintings and sculptures. Copper plate etching is one branch of the art.”

Li Geyin learned copper plate etching in Italy and opened her own studio after coming back to Beijing. Here, she teaches the technique to anyone who is interested in the art form.

LI GEYIN, FOUNDER GeyinArt STUDIO "I like copper plate etching a lot and would like to open my space to painters and designers who are interested in turning their artworks into copper plate etchings. And people who don't have a painting background are also welcomed here to get to know about the art form."

LI QIONG  BEIJING "Preparing the copper plate for etching is very important. We need to make sure that it's in good condition, and without any scratches. Then we can go to the next step."

Ground is then applied to the plate using liquid hard ground. It's spread evenly and thinly over the surface.

"This is the final stage of preparing the plate. We need to put it upside-down, and expose it to the flame. This step helps to soften the ground."

When the ground becomes dry, the plate is ready for making patterns on it.

Dalong is a website designer. This is not his first time taking etching class at the GeyinArt studio.

It takes him more than two hours to finish the initial sketch of a dinosaur, and transfer it onto a piece of carbon paper. With the plate under the carbon paper, the image is drawn again with a pointed etching pen, so that marks are created by removing the thin layer on the ground.

DALONG "I'm working on a dinosaur image because I like dinosaurs a lot. I've learned about wood engraving here before, and wanted to try copper plate etching this time, which is said to be better for revealing details."

The plate is then submerged in an acid solution for half an hour, which dissolves and removes sections of copper exposed to the solution. After taking it out and removing the rest of the ground, the scratches of the image could be seen on the plate.

And ink is then placed in the grooves, with the rest of the plate being rubbed over it, with other colors as background.

An etching press is finally used to print the image. Sometimes the coloring is not satisfactory, then the plate must be reinked and the printing process completed all over again. And you wouldn't know that until it's printed out, but this could also be part of the fun about copper plate etching. LQ, CGTN, BJ.