Frank Nichols is a retired art professor from Hays and taught printmaking most of his career at Fort Hays State University.

Frank Nichols talks about the techniques of his hand colored etchings.

The initial black and white etching was made from a copper plate. Using a variety of coatings on the plate that act as resists, the original drawing, textures and values were bitten into the metal with hydrochloric acid. The coatings are called “grounds” and one must use a specific ground for each effect. For example, if lines are wanted a ground for producing lines is used and the lines are etched as a separate process. The image is completed by carefully building the different effects with different grounds. Before the plate is finished, it will have been immersed in the acid many times. The amount of time in the acid determines how dark the image becomes.

The finished copper plate is printed by covering the plate with ink and wiping the plate until the only ink remaining is that which is retained in the lines and crevices etched into the metal. Paper is placed on top of the plate and they are passed through a large press capable of great pressure. The paper is forced into the lines and crevices containing ink and the print is made. The ink was made from a combination of carbon, vine ash and pulverized charred bones. The paper was made from an all rag pulp with a neutral ph factor. I usually use Arches Cover or Rives BFK, imported French papers with an international reputation for excellence.

Color may be achieved in a print by actually printing the color, but I prefer to use the hand coloring method. The print is dampened and taped to a hard surface so it will maintain its flatness through the painting process. Watercolor brushes are used with a very thin acrylic paint mixture. I have a few studio secrets about the mixture I use. The painting process is as creative and demanding as the initial creation of the image on the plate. While the initial image of the print is always seen through the transparent layers of glazes, it is possible to make many changes in form and composition. Elements can be refined or added.

The completed hand-colored etching is a one of a kind, original art work and, therefore, carries no edition number. Because of the intricacy of the painting process, it would not be possible to duplicate the picture.