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All,
Many thinks for all of your wise, thoughtful answers to questions. I
have successfully etched some pieces now in sterling. Of course,
"success" is in the eye of the beholder. I can at least say the
design trasferred well and with a 10% solution of hot ferric
nitrate, I was able to reproduce the design well at least to the
naked eye.
However, I know you are supposed to use only fine silver, copper, or
gold, (palladium, platinum a problem?) but I practiced enamelling by
applying some transparent vitreous enamel to the etching. It turned
out somewhat unexpectedly in that the transparent blue was paler
than I thought it would be. I believe it was because the etching was
not quite deep enough to suit the enamel I was using. All part of
that "cognitive dissonance". I have heard that sterling is not the
best choice. Probably a "stoopid" question, but how do those of you
enamellers out there determine how a transparent piece will look in
advance? Is it all trial and error? Do you practice at different
etching or engraving depths in relief or intaglio on different metals
with a given variety of enamel to gauge the look first before firing?
Have you seen variance between lots you recieve even of a given
enamel? I have years of experience in the polymer industry with
colorimeters, are they of any use,! or is the eye and experience the
gauge? For example, stopping the etching process occasionally to try
to measure the etching depth, and when your target depth is met, you
stop, clean and enamel?
I guess what I am asking is how do you determine the target depth
for a given set of metals and enamels, especially transparent
enamels?
Many thanks.
Seech
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