The Studio

Soapground Etching

Applying soapground directly onto steel plates is a simple etching technique, akin to sketching outdoors. Once the ground is applied, the plates are carefully transported to the studio for etching in a copper sulphate saline solution. The soapground functions as an acid-resistant layer, enabling different areas to be bitten at various times and allowing for tonal variation. The final image is created through traditional intaglio printing on a press.

Soapground Etching
Sketching onto the plate with soapground — Soapground Etching Sketching onto the plate with soapground

Soapground Etching
Soapground image on the plate — Soapground Etching Soapground image on the plate

Soapground Etching
Etching the steel plate — Soapground Etching Etching the steel plate

Soapground Etching
First stage print on paper — Soapground Etching First stage print on paper

Photo-transfer etching

A simple technique for transferring an image onto a plate for etching. It involves using a photocopy of a photo taken in Rodd Court, which is then transferred onto an aluminium plate with gum arabic and “BIG” ground. The plate is run through a print press to complete the transfer process. Once the photocopy is removed, the plate is baked hard, then etched in a copper sulphate saline solution. After etching, the ground is cleaned off, and the plate is printed using traditional intaglio methods.

Photo transfer
Applying the image onto an aluminium plate — Photo transfer Applying the image onto an aluminium plate

Photo transfer
Applying the ground to the photocopy — Photo transfer Applying the ground to the photocopy

Photo transfer
Resulting print 1 — Photo transfer Resulting print 1

Photo transfer
Resulting print 2 — Photo transfer Resulting print 2

Photo transfer
Resulting print 3 — Photo transfer Resulting print 3

Photo transfer
Resulting print 4 — Photo transfer Resulting print 4

Photo transfer
Resulting print 5 — Photo transfer Resulting print 5

Mermaid Development

Inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt…. tbc

Mermaid Construction
The tail. — Mermaid Construction The tail.

Mermaid Skin
Etching the Plate — Mermaid Skin Etching the Plate

Mermaid Skin
Printing onto tracing paper — Mermaid Skin Printing onto tracing paper

Mermaid Construction
Skin pattern on fabric — Mermaid Construction Skin pattern on fabric

Mermaid Construction
Skin on metal form — Mermaid Construction Skin on metal form

Mermaid Construction
Stitching multiple skins together — Mermaid Construction Stitching multiple skins together

Mermaid Construction
Close-up skin on metal form — Mermaid Construction Close-up skin on metal form

Mermaid Construction
Testing plaster cast and hair design — Mermaid Construction Testing plaster cast and hair design

Mermaid Construction
Testing ideas for skin pattern — Mermaid Construction Testing ideas for skin pattern

Mermaid Construction
Multiple skin patterns — Mermaid Construction Multiple skin patterns

Mermaid Construction
Stitching around the tail — Mermaid Construction Stitching around the tail

Mermaid Construction
Face mask testing 1 — Mermaid Construction Face mask testing 1

Mermaid Construction
Face mask testing 2 — Mermaid Construction Face mask testing 2

Mermaid Construction
Testing plaster hand positions — Mermaid Construction Testing plaster hand positions

Mermaid Construction
The bare bones of the mermaid — Mermaid Construction The bare bones of the mermaid

Mermaid Construction
Mermaid with a model Marden Bell 2 — Mermaid Construction Mermaid with a model Marden Bell 2

Mermaid Construction
Mermaid with a model Marden Bell 3 — Mermaid Construction Mermaid with a model Marden Bell 3

Mermaid Construction
Close up of model Marden Bell — Mermaid Construction Close up of model Marden Bell

Mermaid Construction
Mermaid with a model Marden Bell 1 — Mermaid Construction Mermaid with a model Marden Bell 1

Installation

Footage was captured at the confluence of the River Lugg and Hindwell Brook, with audio recorded outside Marden Church layered onto the film. Projected onto the assembled sculpture of the Marden Mermaid on the gallery wall, the work uses subtle masking techniques to create the impression of the Mermaid submerged beneath the water’s surface — dispersed, silent, and still.