Baobab (Adansonia digitata.) There are many myths and legends associated with the Baobab trees of Africa; which is not surprising given their immense size and age. The Bushmen say that when God made the Baobabs he was angry and instead of planting them, he flung them down to earth; they landed upside down and to this day their roots still stick up into the air. Another Bushmen legend says that the Baobab was the first tree to appear on the earth and from within its gnarled trunk all living creatures, including mankind, emerged.

I took the photograph that provided the reference for this drawing in the central Kruger National Park. A Baobab of this size could be at least a thousand years old.

To produce an etching, I first start by doing a drawing. Once this is complete, I scratch the image on to a thin sheet of plexiglass using an etching needle, this becomes the etching plate. I cover the plate with etching ink which settles into the scratched grooves. I carefully wipe away the excess ink, leaving a small amount to cover the surface of the plate. I lay a slightly damp piece of 300g Acid Free Fabriano paper on top of the etching plate and then run the paper and the plate through a hand operated printing press. The pressure of the press forces the ink out of the grooves and on to the damp paper. It is an uncertain process subject to many mistakes and I am never sure what the result will be until it emerges from the press. If I have left too much ink on the plate, the result is too dark, if I haven’t left enough ink then I lose the characteristic ‘smokey’ effect of an etching. The plate will last for approximately 25 prints before it becomes clogged or damaged and no longer useable. For this etching I have added the sun using gold leaf.

Limited edition dry point etching and gold leaf on 350g Acid Free Fabriano Paper. This etching is delivered rolled into a tube, ready for framing. Free worldwide shipping.

Etching size: 340mm x 410mm