Nick Christie is the first artist to attend our residence this year. Nick is from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. He graduated from Northumbria University with a BA Fine Art Degree with Honours in 2011. He founded Incubate in 2017 a print workshop in Newcastle, where he teaches courses and makes editions for an art gallery. Nick is a young artist with experience and who knows several print techniques that he spread from Incubate.
For two weeks Nick was informed of the theoretical contents of electrolysis, how to install an electro-etching unit and safety rules. He etched lines with hard ground on plates of both metals. He also practiced the electrotint with salt on liquid varnish to get tones. Practice with graphite ink as a varnish to draw lines and tonal areas by diluting the ink. Also with this graphite ground applied with the roller to create patterns through which the bite gives varied and deep tones. He also practiced semi-dry on copper plate and passive electro-etching on zinc plate.
Nick had the generosity to bring a good piece of photopolymer film from the Photec brand, with which we experimented to etching with electrolysis. We did not have much success, because this film is too thick and did not facilitate the electrolytic bite. We will keep trying.
I am sure that Nick, with the experience achieved, will set up an electro-etching unit in Incubate where he can continue experimenting and going deeper into electrolysis techniques.
Pictures from the workshop
NIck Christie speaks about his experience in the workshop-residency
I thoroughly enjoyed my intensive and transformative experience of electro-etching with master printmaker Alfonso Crujera. I had been searching for a new printmaking experience, when I found the advertisement for the residency-workshop online. I already have an established printmaking workshop in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, that I run by myself. On researching the technique, I found that very little is known about it in my region, with acid etching still being the preferred method in the universities here. I was also encouraged by my mentor, and master of etching, Alfons Bytautas, to learn more about this process. The absence of toxic fumes and residues has great appeal to me.
In the beautiful home of Alfonso and Amparo, I found a wonderful clarity and perspective. I was able to soak up the abundance of air and light that was readily available in this temple of creativity. I am very grateful to Alfonso for allowing my to grill him with questions, while he provided me with as much information as I could absorb. I was impressed with the quality of line possible through electro-etching, but also the sheer range of variations to the technique.
Particularly, I was taken by the graphite resist technique, which produces beautiful marks and a sensitivity which I like. One other interesting combination that we worked with was the use of Photopolymer film as a resist. I already work with Photopolymer, so it was groundbreaking for me to learn that this technique can be with combined with electro-etching, for a deeper bite.
I will be be building my own electro-etching set up as quickly as I can, with the aim of sharing this way of etching with others. My experience has also invigorated my passion for furthering myself as an artist. Muchos gracias to Alfonso for teaching me and being of good humour throughout! Also thank you to Amparo for making me feel welcome in her home and garden, and to Helios, Sarah and Nehru for welcoming me into their Mongolian Yurt to see their inspiring way of life. Also thank you to Okra the dog, for being a loyal companion and for guarding my door. I would highly recommend this residency-workshop to anyone with a passion for printmaking.
Nick Christie's electro-etchings
More information about Nick Christie.