practising etching and my chosen etching technique

because i found a transparent plate to etch into, i drew out my etch design first using the thick and think like technique to create depth. 

etching. it was harder than i thought getting the thickness of the thick lines using the etching tools, it just meant i had to press harder and course a bigger grove, however it was quite satisfying seeing the difference in lines.

wiping the excess ink away from the plates was so much harder than i thought i could remember, after taking to the technicians they said its probably because the plate has not got as smooth surfaces as the using printing plates they use and therefore the ink will stick easier. they suggested using oil to help budge the ink away, though this worked alot better, i as worried it would remove the ink i wanted to stay. 

i was not confident at all taking my plate through the press as i felt there was still alot of ink on the plate and it would come out smudged and unclear, however i am pleasantly surprised with the turn out. though there is slight smudged areas of execs ink i think it adds to the effect.