Etching 101

Flatbed Press is running Etching 101, a five-week course on copper-plate etching that kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 2. The class meets every Wednesday from 6 to 9 PM at their studio, 3701 Drossett #190, in Austin South.

If you've never heard the term, copper-plate etching falls under the umbrella of intaglio printmaking. The basic idea is that you etch a design into a copper plate, ink it, and then run it through a press to transfer the image onto paper. The course is designed to take you through the whole process from start to finish, so you'll walk away with a finished print rather than just a few scattered techniques. It's open to all levels of experience, and the organizers say it's best suited for people who want to learn the basics from the ground up.

One thing that makes this a bit more than a standard class is how it's structured. Wednesday nights are for instruction, where you'll get the actual teaching and guidance. But every Thursday, there's an optional open studio session for students to come back in and work on their own. That means if you find yourself stuck on a plate or just want a little more time to refine your work, you've got a dedicated slot to do it without the pressure of a ticking clock. Between the two, you're looking at up to two nights a week in the studio.

They pitch it as a creative weeknight activity, a unique date night, or a way to connect with other printmakers in the city. Whether you're coming in with a partner or just looking for something to do on a Wednesday evening, you'll be spending five weeks learning a craft that's as much about the process as the result. The class runs Wednesdays from 6 to 9 PM at Flatbed Press, 3701 Drossett #190, starting Sept. 2.