Allo, Allo, Allo, wot's going on 'ere then?

I had some adventures with the copper today.

I printed out the little copper etching of the carpet bag and was pleased that the softground had not completely wrecked the plate. To be honest, I am quite chuffed at the result. I took a quick proof and did a little burnishing to highlight some areas. I think the background just needs a dark aquatint for drama, then I should be ready to print my edition. This image is my pulp adventurer's carpet bag, a parody of Phylius Fogg's travel bag from "Around the World in 80 Days", by Jules Verne. I think I feel comfortable calling my character "Lady Penelope Pinkerton-Smythe". I think that sounds like a woman that does not put up with any fuss and nonsense.

The softground is quite subtle after all, phew!

Here I have applied the aquatint using paint. In the past I had used a pretty toxic powder that would settle on the plate (and in the lungs probably), then be melted on. I seem to remember setting fire to this substance in the past, hmmm good job there are alternatives.

I had two goes at applying the aquatint, the first was too even, typical! The times you want it free from blobs you get them, now that I wanted some nice random blobs they did not want to oblige. Second time was much better.

The green area is where I am using Stop Out to protect the image from the ferric chloride. The unpainted areas should get the tone from the aquatint.

I also took a proof from the balloon etching that I am making a start on. This copper etching is taking longer to form. So far I have dipped the plate into the Ferric Chloride twice after working and reworking the plate. Lady Penelope joined Phylius Fogg in his balloon as they travel over Paris.

I messed around with the camera so sorry for the shadow.

I think it might be fun to have Lady Penelope take various adventures around the world and/or through time. I have a few ideas about how she might make statements about various cultural changes of our contemporary lives as seen through her eyes.

Cheers to Lady Penelope Pinkerton-Smythe, may she have many extraordinary voyages!

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