Traditional Etching
with Ann d’Arcy Hughes
and Hebe Vernon-Morris

Zinc plate

Multiple plate Etching print
In the 16th Century, Printmakers began to develop this Intaglio technique to create intricate, linear, tonal, textured and semi-embossed prints. Using Zinc and Steel, we continue in this tradition, teaching techniques that connect us to the history of the medium, providing an opportunity to explore:
- Hard and Soft ground – for line, texture and mark making.
- Fine and Coarse Aquatint – to create tone, texture and colour.
- Marbling and Sugar Lift – Mark making techniques.
- Multiple plates – for layered, colourful images.
Once the Ground or Aquatint has been applied to the plate and the image created, the line or texture is bitten into the metal using Nitric acid. Ink is then pushed into the lines and texture of the image, before printing using the manual Rochat press or electric Etching press.
Suitable for beginners and experienced artists. Small class size – 4 – 6 people.
Courses are relatively short so more than one course will be needed to develop imagery using some of the more advanced techniques.

Etching tools

Zinc Plate Etching – Hebe Vernon-Morris
Dates and times
Tuesday Mornings with Ann d’Arcy Hughes
10.30am – 1pm – Experienced, returning students only
2nd December – 16th December – 3 sessions – £96 – FULL
6th, 13th and 20th January, 2026 – 3 sessions – £96
3rd, 10th and 17th February, 2026 – 3 sessions – £96
3rd, 10th and 17th March, 2026 – 3 sessions – £96
31st March, 14th and 21st April, 2026 – 3 sessions – £96
The Course includes Consumables – Acid, grounds, car spray, aquatint, stop out, inks, scrim, tissues, cleaning materials.
Any paper and metal used is charged separately and is payable on the last class.
You can either pay the full amount now or half the cost of the Course as a deposit to secure your place. The balance will need to be paid 10 days before the Course starts.
Small group – 6 people
Please check that you can attend all the dates you have booked and paid for, as due to rising costs we regret that we can no longer offer replacement classes, or refunds.
Classes fill up quickly, so early booking is advised.
IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE BOOKING A COURSE, PLEASE CONTACT THE STUDIO
Wednesday Mornings with Hebe Vernon-Morris
10.30am – 1.30pm – Beginners and Experienced
7th January – 28th January, 2026 – 4 sessions – £142
4th, 11th and 25th February, 2026 – 3 sessions – £106.50
1st April – 22nd April, 2026 – 4 sessions – £142
The Course includes Consumables – Acid, grounds, car spray, aquatint, stop out, inks, scrim, tissues, cleaning materials.
Any paper and metal used is charged separately and is payable on the last class.
Please check that you can attend all the dates you have booked and paid for, as due to rising costs, we regret that we can no longer offer replacement classes or refunds for missed classes.
Payment can be taken by using the PayPal button below, by Card over the phone or by BACs.
Please contact the studio for BACs details or with any queries.
You can either pay the full amount now or half the cost of the Course as a deposit to secure your place. The balance will need to be paid 10 days before the Course starts.
IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE BOOKING A COURSE, PLEASE CONTACT THE STUDIO
Saturday course – 10.30am – 4.30pm – with Hebe Vernon-Morris
£96.50 – Dates – Spring 2026 TBC
Saturday course – 10.30am – 1.30pm – with Ann d’Arcy Hughes
7th February – £35.50 – Experienced, returning students only
14th February – £35.50 – Experienced, returning students only
11th April – £35.50 – Experienced, returning students only
25th April – £35.50 – Experienced, returning students only
The Course includes Consumables – Acid, grounds, car spray, aquatint, stop out, inks, scrim, tissues, cleaning materials.
Any paper and metal used is charged separately and is payable on the last class.
You can either pay the full amount now or half the cost of the course as a deposit to secure your place. The balance will need to be paid 10 days before the course starts.
Small group – 6 people
Please check that you can attend all the dates you have booked and paid for, as due to rising costs we regret that we can no longer offer replacement classes, or refunds.
Classes fill up quickly, so early booking is advised.
IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE BOOKING A COURSE, PLEASE CONTACT THE STUDIO
*These courses are extremely popular and fill up quickly. Even if a course is listed as Full, please email in your interest as we always hold a waiting list as spaces sometimes become available at short notice.*

Manual, Rochat Etching press

Double plate Etching print with Steel and Zinc plates.
Image title – ‘A Safe Passage’
Course materials – inks, grounds, resin, acid, degreaser, Stop out, car spray, rags and cleaning materials are included in the cost of the Course
Extra gloves – 50p a pair. We will provide you with one pair of gloves per Course.
Extra masks – £1. We will provide you with one mask per Course.
Metal and paper are not included in the Course price and can be purchased from the studio. Paper prices begin at 15p a sheet.
Ann d’Arcy Hughes is a Printmaker and teacher with over 40 years experience of teaching at Degree and MA level.
Hebe Vernon-Morris is a Printmaker and teacher with over 20 years of experience in teaching.
All our courses are for adults of 18 years old and over, unless specified.
Course bookings –
We look forward to welcoming you to the studio.