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Art Of Etching On Copper


Having obtained a piece of fine Copper,

which will be well polished, make a mixture of Beeswax and a small

quantity of Resin; melt these together, and when thoroughly

incorporated by stirring, take a camel's hair brush and cover the

plate, which must previously be warmed by the fire, with an even

coating of the mixture.



When the mixture becomes hardened upon the plate, sketch the desired

obje
t upon the surface, then take an etching point, a large needle

fixed in a handle will do, and cut through the wax to the surface of

the copper, taking care to make the lines as distinct as possible.



This being done, raise a border of wax all around the plate, then pour

strong Nitric Acid on the plate to the depth of an inch. The Acid will

eat away the copper in those places which have been bared by the

etching point. From time to time pour off the acid and wash the plate

to see how the work is going on. Stop up with wax those places that

appear to be etched deep enough, pour Acid upon the others, and let it

remain until the process is completed. This done, melt off the wax

clean the plate, and the etching is ready for the press. This is an

employment from which a good remuneration may be derived.



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