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Etching is an ancient craft that is rarely taught nowadays. Because an etching usually makes up part of an edition there is often confusion between modern-day computer-generated prints and highly skilled printing techniques such as this. Whereas a modern giclee print is a replica of an original painting and is produced using a very high-tech printer, etchings were only ever created to accomodate the artist processes described below. There is no original painting and because each print in the edition is hand-coloured and hand-printed there will be small variations from picture to picture, making each one unique. For this reason, etchings are often referred to as "Original Prints":

1) Initially Jo etches an image onto a copper plate which is degreased and coated with a wax ground. She draws into the wax using a very fine needle. The wax is merely removed by the needle without scratching the surface of the plate.
2) The plate is dipped into a bath of acid this eats into the metal creating a texture on the plate.
3) Once the image has been etched into the metal ink is rubbed into the crevices and small holes. The surface of the plate is then cleaned and will be completely free of ink.
4) The image is then printed onto damp paper using a large press that exerts great pressure so that the paper takes the shape of the plate and the ink is drawn out of the textured surface.
5) This is the first proof of the etching and the plate will be waxed again and more drawing added, and the plate re-etched and re-printed. The whole process is repeated many times until Jo is satisfied with the image produced.
6) The plate is then coated with a very fine coating of steel. This not only makes it stronger but enables Jo to print in colour. Copper reacts with and distorts basic colours.
7) When Jo is printing an edition of etching she works from a master copy to make each one as like it as possible. But because each etching is hand inked using several colours each one will vary very slightly thus making it unique.
8) From the first drawing on the plate to the finished etching can take many months.

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