The Giraffe Thorn Acacia or Camel Thorn Acacia (Vachellia Eriolba) occurs widely across the drier regions of southern Africa. The trees bear sweetly scented bright yellow ball-like flowers in late winter that last through to summer. The resulting fruit ranges from small and almost cylindrical to large, flat, half-moon-shaped pods covered in velvety grey hairs. The pods are favoured by wild animals, especially elephants, who chew the pods and disperse the seed in their dung. The seeds can also be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

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.

Limited edition dry point etching 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