Copper Etching with Damon Kowarsky

Medium Copper / Ferric Chloride

Weekend workshop to learn the basics of intaglio printmaking [etching] on copper.

Etching on copper is one of the oldest forms of printmaking. Invented in Germany in the 15^th century, it has since been used by masters including Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, Picasso, Hockney, and many others. It is very close to drawing, and is a rewarding way to create multiple images in a medium with a rich history and dynamic contemporary practice.

Over the two day workshop participants will learn the basics of copper etching. This includes etching with ferric chloride and printing on cotton paper with high quality ink.

Participants will draw in the wonderful gardens at Buda, and make their etching directly from their drawings.

Day one at Buda

Morning – drawing in garden

Afternoon – transferring design onto prepared copper plate

Day two at Equinox Printmaking Chewton

(Participants will be given directions on day one)

Morning – etching plate

Afternoon – printing!

Participants need to bring

Day one sketchbook and pencils/pens, chair or stool, lunch

Day two apron, close toed shoes, safety glasses, lunch

Damon Kowarsky studied printmaking at Victorian College of the Arts and Glasgow School of Art. Since graduating he has travelled extensively. Architecture and the colours of earth and sky inspire much of his work.

Kowarsky is the recipient of awards including a Toyota Community Spirit Artist Travel Award, Creative Victoria New Works Grant and Australia Council Asia-Australia Creative Partnerships Grant. He has worked as a scientific, courtroom, and archaeological illustrator.

In 2007 he taught drawing and studied miniature painting at Beaconhouse National University Lahore. In 2010, 2014, and 2017 he taught printmaking at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture Karachi.

Kowarsky exhibits regularly in Australia and abroad, including solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Hong Kong, New York, Philadelphia, Wellington, Cairo, Damascus, Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.

In 2014 and 2017 he was artist in residence at Guanlan Original Printmaking Base. In 2015 he was part of the Bait al Zubair Museum’s inaugural artist in residence program. In 2016 he completed a two month residency in France with the support of the Alfred and Trafford Klots International Program for Artists. In 2018 Warrnambool Art Gallery undertook a substantial survey exhibition of his prints, paintings and drawings. He is currently working on a series of new etchings inspired by travels in North and South East Asia.

Equinox Printmaking is operated by long-standing printmakers Nancye Canobie and Keith Wiltshire. Both artists have exhibited in public and private galleries in regional and metropolitan Australia.

Equinox Printmaking caters to intaglio and relief printmaking, as well as being Australia’s preeminent private lithography atelier. The studio specialises in both stone and metal plate lithography.