Etching Evaluation:
I've been considering my position with my practical work within the module and took some time to re-evaluate my aims.
- Based on my skill level at this point, do I realistically have the time to get good enough at etching to produce a successful range of prints as my final outcome?
- Do I have a strong enough grasp on the technical practical methods / a good enough understanding of the methods of creating tone using line?
Strengths of etching:
- Using a process relevant to the illustrations of the time period that I've been researching
- Pushes me out of my comfort zone
- Allows me to be explorative with my sketchbook work / experiment with the medium
- Introduces me to a new printmaking method that I haven't tried before
- Allows me to develop a skill in a new area
- Deepens my understanding of intaglio print methods as opposed to relief printing that I've done before
Limitations of etching:
- Requires a lot of practice
- Time consuming (when this deadline isn't too far away)
- Requires an understanding of the development of tone through mark making in order to reflect the aesthetic of the etchings I have been looking at that are dated from the 14th to 18th centuries
- I have tried drypoint etching, but would have to have sessions with print technicians to learn the longer process of metal plate etching, involving acid etc. Drypoint is tricky as the tools are difficult to control, they can catch and don't run smoothly.
- I have to adjust to drawing in a completely different way, without focus being on line work.
It comes down to time. I don't feel confident enough that I'm going to end up with a strong, developed final outcome. I'm concerned that I'm starting from a low level and won't be able to produce something to the standard that I want it at.
I realised through trying to work with etching, I was starting to attempt to focus on creating form and depth.. Using marks to develop tone to give that 3 dimensional impression that my work usually lacks. But it was moving me away from what I like to make. I like working with flat looking images, it's what I do and it's starting to become my tone of voice.
If I analyse my own work, it's usually:
Analogue
Minimal colour / black and white
Flat
Bold
Focused on line
Textural
Confident
Very frequently floating images / vignettes
For example:
This is a screenshot of part of my instagram account, and it's got that quite specific aesthetic. But I want to develop my practice more because I feel like I'm putting restrictions on my images when I'm always creating one colour (black) floating designs.
I've spent the majority of this year learning about lino cutting and trying it out at every chance I got, and am swaying toward the idea of trying to develop this further, deepening my knowledge of the process and its strengths and limitations. Choosing this method for my CoP practical would make more sense at this point. I want to lift the restrictions I've kinda accidentally created for myself and learn more...
There are things that I want to improve on with linocut, like:
- Multiple colour use
- Mark making, not just relying on big flat areas of black ink
- Developing a sense of tone and showing variation
- More consideration of composition, density and depth
I can use this module as an opportunity to capitalise on what I already know, and develop in areas that I feel my skills or knowledge are lacking.
It doesn't mean that the practical work that I've done so far has been wasted though, because I've only learnt this through trying and testing.
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Another issue - something that came up in my tutorial ...
I should move away from witches in my practical work to make sure that I'm not just illustrating my essay.
The practical brief that I came up with in the last session was focused entirely on printed illustrations of witches, accompanied by historical information, that could form an exhibition in a museum or gallery. I'd then said that there would be additional promotional / accompanying leaflets, posters, 'exhibition guides' etc.
It was suggested in my tutorial that I find a new focus that is related to my essay, stemming from my research, but branches off in a different direction. An example of tarot cards was given, as it reflects elements of my dissertation without illustrating it.
So I've been brainstorming.
I've chosen to linocut, not only because I want to strengthen my skills as discussed, but because I wanted to pick a process that emulates the aesthetic of the old Early Modern woodcuts.
Through my research, I've been learning about the despicable treatment of accused women during the witch hunts. The torture they were subjected to in the name of God and the church was horrific; all in an attempt to discover their guilt of practicing witchcraft, but usually resulting in confessions just in order to make it stop.
It got me thinking about the society at the time, how savagely cruel punishment was, and not just for criminal acts, but in some cases for any act considered a social faux pas. E.g. gossiping or spreading rumours. Public displays of punishment were frequent, with the ultimate goal being control throughout the society. For example, if a person was caught gossiping they could be made to wear a shame mask, preventing them from eating or drinking and humiliating them for their 'crime'.
Sometimes these shame masks were known as Bridles.
The following text is from http://torturemuseum.net/en/the-mask-of-shame/ :
Not all masks physically harmed their victims, some did not contain gags and were mainly used to humiliate. 'The appearance of the mask was symbolic enough'.
A few years ago I went to Rothenburg in Germany and visited the Kriminalmuseum where I was totally in awe of some of what was on display. It had a vast collection of torture tools and loads of information about methods of punishment. I bought postcards, each illustrated with different public punishments. This was one of them, depicting the shame masks:
- I want to guide my practical work in this direction. Looking into torture methods / methods of punishment / public displays of these in the Late Medieval and mainly Early Modern periods.
- I want to learn more about the ideas of the society of the time, as I am when I've been researching my written work, especially toward punishment.
- I will focus on Early Modern woodcuts as reference for my linocuts, looking at the use of flat imagery and trying to emulate a similar tone of voice, whilst developing on what I already know about lino and the skills I already have.
- I want to create 2 colour prints, as I don't want to keep restricting myself to one colour.
- I want to explore mark making and try to incorporate variations of cut, breaking up the images and helping to vary and control the density.
- I want to be explorative with my composition and exhaustive with roughs, ensuring I avoid single floating images and focusing on narrative.
- I want to relate it to a disciplinary area that I will be focusing my practice on, which is either product or publishing.
I will update my practical project brief and blog it.
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