On a plate

There is a certain thrill when an inked-up plate begins to reveal itself.

Before that thrill, though, there is much to do. Buy the plate, tweak the photograph, run the film acetate, go to Artichoke Print Workshop to process the plate (aquatint screen, wait, acetate, wait, soak, sponge sponge sponge, rinse, wipe wipe wipe, blow dry, harden) then all the preparation at the studio for the next stage – printing.

Space? Paper? Ink? Plate oil? Colour? Or colours? Registration? Placement? The variables are many. The likelihood of mistakes, errors, mishaps or – worst of all – mediocrity, high. Nevertheless.

There is a moment or two of contemplation before cast-off. Then, as the scrim starts to wipe away the ink and the image comes through … Hallelujah.