Etchers

Etchers are artists and printmakers who specialize in etching, a traditional intaglio printmaking method. In etching, a metal plate (commonly copper or zinc) is coated with a resistant ground. The artist draws through the ground with a sharp tool to create lines that expose the metal. The plate is then immersed in an acidic bath, which bites the exposed metal and forms incised lines. After etching, the plate is cleaned, inked, and wiped so that ink remains only in the etched lines. Paper is pressed onto the plate to transfer the image, producing a print.

In practice, etchers may combine etching with other techniques such as aquatint, drypoint, or mezzotint to create tonal effects and textures. The process emphasizes line quality and the ability to control the tonal range through bite time, ground hardness, and wiping.

Historically, etching emerged in the 16th century and became prominent in European printmaking. Notable etchers include Rembrandt, Francisco Goya, and James Abbott McNeill Whistler, among others; Pablo Picasso also produced numerous etchings. In the 17th through 19th centuries, etching was widely taught and collected, and it remains active in contemporary art studios and print shops.

In broader usage, etching can also describe chemical engraving on metal for decorative purposes or in electronics where etched patterns define circuits on boards. The term etcher therefore can refer to the practitioner or, more generally, to the process itself.