Waters Edge
The idea for "Waters Edge" was conceived after a visit to the aquarium
at Bristol zoo. where I made sketches of wild carp. These were developed into
a composition
which became the basis of the etching.
There are five plates, each made to hold different elements of the final image and are inked in a number of colours. The image is made by passing the paper backwards and forwards through the press, each time with a different plate.
From inking up all five plates to pulling a print takes about one and a half hours. Therefore, great care has to be taken with the inking procedure. The first plate holds four colours; a blend of yellow and red for the bodies of the fish, a light green for the leaves of the water lilies and crimson for the flower. The second plate is inked with five colours; violet for the fins and backs of the fish. Blue, red and lemon yellow for the dragon flies and light green for one leaf that could not be placed on the first plate. The third plate is inked with a darker green and the fourth plate is inked with blue. Finally the key plate is inked with sepia. This is printed last because it holds all the drawing details and ties the image together. Although I am only using nine colours extra colour values are created by virtue of overprinting.
