From Paper to Copper: The Engraver's Process (2009)

A demonstration by Andrew Stein Raftery, Associate Professor of Printmaking, Rhode Island School of Design. In this video Andrew Raftery creates a copper engraving with the same methods done by the old masters of Europe. This project was created to celebrate "The Brilliant Line" an engraving exhibition at RISD's Museum of Art. Video shot and directed by Eric Meier (RISD 1986). Editing in collaboration with Collin William (RISD MFA 2010).
This video was produced in 2009.

Пікірлер: 187

  • @Thisworldisagoner
    @Thisworldisagoner3 жыл бұрын

    I did my bachelors in Art History and my roomie was a print-making major who did soo many engraving and etchings throughout our years together. I would be filled with wonder and respect for her on how hard she would work so hard over each and every print, sweating and crying and sometimes even bleeding from cuts by the sharp edges of the plates. In those years I learned so much through her about these processes while she worked in the room before taking the prints.

  • @juanmendez3212

    @juanmendez3212

    2 жыл бұрын

    You don’t need a bachelors degree for tracing sketches.

  • @Thisworldisagoner

    @Thisworldisagoner

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@juanmendez3212 bro, if you think thats what it is, you need to learn a little bit more before you comment. Maybe yeah we dont need a bachelors to learn engraving, then the person needs to put in a similar amount of time to the practice. A bachelors degree does that, allows people to put in years into the practice.

  • @juanmendez3212

    @juanmendez3212

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Thisworldisagoner I do engraves. Nothing hard about it but I get it. Seems some of y’all got all sensitive. Funny stuff I tell ya

  • @Thisworldisagoner

    @Thisworldisagoner

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@juanmendez3212 wow you must have the gift from god then. Since its so easy for you. Well good for you

  • @juanmendez3212

    @juanmendez3212

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Thisworldisagoner bow down to the all mighty.

  • @aomarlargo
    @aomarlargo9 жыл бұрын

    I have a whole new found respect for engravers.

  • @altar7885
    @altar78856 жыл бұрын

    I feel like that cross hatching technique is really the whole thing. Pity we didn't see more of it.

  • @danieldmyers

    @danieldmyers

    4 жыл бұрын

    100% what brought me here too

  • @devinmichaelroberts9954

    @devinmichaelroberts9954

    4 жыл бұрын

    thats the secret.. why would you feel entitled to know it for free?

  • @altar7885

    @altar7885

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@devinmichaelroberts9954 Hhh... I just clicked on a video entitled "the engraver's process", but doesn't show the process, because according to you it's a "secret"... Keep your secret, I'm not one of the 3 people in this country who care, let alone pay for it. The real question is: why would the poster feel entitled to post clickbait and not be called a douchebag?

  • @devinmichaelroberts9954

    @devinmichaelroberts9954

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@altar7885 do you even understand english?

  • @lois3356

    @lois3356

    3 жыл бұрын

    Exactly what I wanted, to see the etching part, the different tools. I can't find any video out there showing how they made those perfect hatching back in the 18th century...

  • @chrysallis317
    @chrysallis3175 ай бұрын

    So I am a printmaker. Love intaglio, especially etching and dry-point. I now see the subtle differences. When etching the burr is created by a v tool carving pieces of metal out. Vs dry-poing where the surface is scratched, and etching, where chemicals take it away.

  • @jessefoulk
    @jessefoulk8 жыл бұрын

    That is amazing. The whole process

  • @oledahammer8393
    @oledahammer83933 жыл бұрын

    "I think we're ready to print"...after a few HUNDRED hours of engraving and cross hatching!

  • @alierem4266

    @alierem4266

    Ай бұрын

    Manual or -graver-- pushing is one of the most trying of the artist/craftsperson's patients, when it comes to art creation processes.

  • @bloodreport146
    @bloodreport1463 жыл бұрын

    l have the original copper printing plate for the share issue of The Glasgow and South Western Railway Company from 1850 and have never thought of having a print made from it.

  • @walterbenjamin1386
    @walterbenjamin13867 жыл бұрын

    Beautifully done. Such skill.

  • @robertaugust7425
    @robertaugust74254 жыл бұрын

    I find the entire process fascinating and beautiful. I am amazed by us human beings, especially when you consider how long ago this process was started. This was the super computing technology of its day. Thanks to all the people keeping it alive and probably rediscovering a lot of this history and artistry. Knowing others are out there doing things like this makes me proud to be a modern person. Great video...

  • @nellpolyhigh
    @nellpolyhigh7 жыл бұрын

    This is fascinating. My husband's great grandfather was a Copper Plate Printer and this shows what an artist he was.

  • @lalagonegaga
    @lalagonegaga12 жыл бұрын

    All of a sudden, oil painting looks easy... LOL!

  • @peraera5241

    @peraera5241

    3 жыл бұрын

    You are right! Engraving is a very demanding job. But it is a very traditional and preferred art branch. Don't think it's difficult, you can get experience in a short time. It will take you a short time to become a master at engraving. It is always easier to carve. Progressing by diminishing the existing is not something related to the creative side of the human being. Therefore, engraving is not difficult for us artists, it is only traditionally defined.

  • @awildtomappeared5925

    @awildtomappeared5925

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@peraera5241 hatching is much harder to master than painting, just look at zorn, you can look close at his paintings, copy the value/saturation/hue at each point and pretty easily make a study that looks very close to the original, but try to copy one of his etchings and thats another story even if you try to do it in pen it's far more challenging than oil painting where you can just paint what you see instead of translating all forms into lines

  • @mydude3254

    @mydude3254

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@peraera5241 Short time to master engraving? Easier to carve? I know some "professional" artists myself, (including a few carvers and sculptors) that have many many years on me and create works that demand decent price tags. They are so humble, that they do not even consider themselves a master of their respective crafts. Yet, they do consider themselves pros at their craft. Those artists I know have practiced for decades and became skilled enough to make a name for themselves while making a good living selling their artworks. Life is short but I would argue that it takes most people 10,000 plus hours of practice, let alone experience, to even be possibly considered being at the "mastery" level at anything that necessitates skill.

  • @joshuasmith2486
    @joshuasmith24863 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this. I'm presently studying into the history of Graphic Design and needed to see a visual example of Copperplate printing to properly get it. This has helped me get a better understanding of the process. Thank you :)

  • @BlueLineofthesky
    @BlueLineofthesky4 жыл бұрын

    This art is fascinating. And it is amazing that it is still alive in our modern times with all printers and IT technology. True art will never die!

  • @keepyourshoesathedoor

    @keepyourshoesathedoor

    3 жыл бұрын

    You got me until you said true art...dude...come on. It’s actually better off to make prints of artwork to sell it and charge even more money for the original prints just to get them out there then to just make the originals. Secondly, printmaking is to printers as water is to H₂O. Both are equivalent in efficiency as well as well as being a medium. Presses and printers don’t have to exist, we could just do everything by hand. I’m sure you could replicate the art the people did with some cheap BIC pens and a loose leaf paper and draw it over and over. Or is the subject on the medium more important? If someone created the same artwork on photoshop and somebody else did some trash unrealistic not classy art with a copper plate and a printing press would it be true art? I mean, I ask myself these questions as an art major quite often because my professor is a bonehead and says crap like this. Printers are exactly the same as a printing press except printers are more efficient, tend to make things very similar looking and uniform, and are consistent with printing colors. Is it really the technology or you just really like the art? Also IT means information technology.

  • @BlueLineofthesky

    @BlueLineofthesky

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@keepyourshoesathedoor Hi. I really appreciate your elaborate comment. In my opinion, it is an art because of the process. Engraving on metal by hand or using acids, drawing, knowing your process and materials is making it a form of art. Today, machines can do almost everything. But when you use a pen to draw on metal and then use chemicals to etch...is a process that I consider art. I work with metal so I understand what he is doing. Art is not just unique items. I do some linoleum printing from time to time. I carve my designs in my hand. Sometimes I apply them on metal and I etch. From there is a wide range of possibilities. Every person who is using old techniques to make beautiful things...is an artist in my opinion. Of course, every person sees things differently. When Guttenberg printed the first pages...it was a productive multiplying or a form of art?

  • @mesofius

    @mesofius

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@keepyourshoesathedoor ah, I remember when I was a douchebag college student. Don't worry, you'll grow out of it.

  • @pennycandyys
    @pennycandyys2 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating, thank you for sharing. For the benefit of anyone who has come to watch the video and appreciate Andrew’s work (so of course the original artist as well), may I suggest, and request that the image is framed by the camera and held there for a moment at the end so the viewer has a moment to press pause? Of course I did, but it’s at an angle, not ideal for viewing. Thanks again.

  • @garyphillips1127
    @garyphillips112710 жыл бұрын

    Lots of patience. Beautiful results.

  • @vicorkit
    @vicorkit4 ай бұрын

    What a wonderful process to behold, and a beautiful result!

  • @rescatadodeltiempo
    @rescatadodeltiempo19 күн бұрын

    Impresionante trabajo, mis felicitaciones y gracias por publicar este documental.

  • @erosangelos9422
    @erosangelos94223 жыл бұрын

    Hello! I never saw such an Amazing Engraving before ,I wish it could be more slow process so we can see more )) ,That is Absolute Wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

  • @hamANDmeat
    @hamANDmeat Жыл бұрын

    Wow, got chills from that reveal. Incredible work.

  • @geegeeuk7
    @geegeeuk72 ай бұрын

    This is incredible. I wonder how the newspapers managed to get this process done so quickly!

  • @KeithDvorak
    @KeithDvorak7 жыл бұрын

    Stunning! Thank you for sharing this!

  • @ZsuzsaKarolySmith
    @ZsuzsaKarolySmith3 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating! Looks like a painstaking process but the results are wonderful.

  • @esramirezart
    @esramirezart6 жыл бұрын

    I love this video. Thank you very much for sharing it with us. I watch it quite often.

  • @grahamrowe3940
    @grahamrowe39407 жыл бұрын

    I'm writing an academic article on a natural history book published in 1805 that contained, for that time, particularly elegant copper engravings. This video really helped me understand the engraving process. Thanks for taking the trouble.

  • @Detman101
    @Detman1017 ай бұрын

    That is amazing work!

  • @anandpanchal6390
    @anandpanchal63905 жыл бұрын

    Million of thanks for share your precious experience

  • @skeetersaurus6249
    @skeetersaurus62492 жыл бұрын

    While I saw several engravers and their example works in college, I had never seen true 'modern masterpieces' until I happened to stumble upon where the 'true masters' of our modern age practice the 'old arts'...firearms engravers. Some of the greatest 'engraving masters' that live now, work in firearms and knives...doing 'custom one-off' contract pieces for clientele. A simple $1,000 hunting shotgun becomes a $10,000, $25,000 masterpiece after they have finished their work...with skill arguably better than even the Renaissance Masters themselves. Not to mention, their works done in hardened nickel-steel is FAR more difficult, and enduring, than copper will ever be. Take the time, search for videos...they ARE out there!

  • @arspraestigium1
    @arspraestigium111 жыл бұрын

    Superb work, thanks for the demonstration!

  • @gervasiorobles1056
    @gervasiorobles10567 жыл бұрын

    thank you for this demonstration and share the ancient knowledge on engraving

  • @kimhungrige8522
    @kimhungrige85222 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely gorgeous. You are a true master at your art. I love that you adhere to the old ways of engraving. It came out so beautiful.

  • @powerobxxx
    @powerobxxx6 жыл бұрын

    Wow, I was looking at other videos for a project I am doing and yours was in the view pane, so glad I had a look, what a stunning process. Great video

  • @leventoespinado
    @leventoespinado12 жыл бұрын

    so much effort and great work! I appreciate it

  • @WondrousEarth
    @WondrousEarth4 жыл бұрын

    A complex process carefully done, wonderful to see the steps taken and your expertise!

  • @kevinm3850
    @kevinm38502 жыл бұрын

    Andrew is an amazing engraver. Fantastic video.

  • @rjwh67220
    @rjwh672202 жыл бұрын

    How wonderful! Thank you.

  • @rossfletcher4362
    @rossfletcher43622 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the demonstration, a wonderful skilled process!

  • @kellybrown685
    @kellybrown6852 жыл бұрын

    Wow. What a beautiful end result. Thank You formsharing this!

  • @poitaots5054
    @poitaots50542 жыл бұрын

    The print looked so good too. Great work 💪

  • @simonedoherty6195
    @simonedoherty61952 жыл бұрын

    Amazing! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful process and result

  • @FREEDMFTR
    @FREEDMFTR2 жыл бұрын

    Wow. Stunning piece and talent

  • @georgeinglis255
    @georgeinglis2557 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for that great demonstration. One thing stands out, apart from the skill and knowledge, and years of practice involved in becoming a proficient engraver, and that's the amount of physical space needed to do this. Great video.

  • @Otras_cosas_de_Jorgito
    @Otras_cosas_de_Jorgito2 жыл бұрын

    excelente !!! ... gracias por su trabajo...

  • @MrLewisFloydHenry
    @MrLewisFloydHenry11 жыл бұрын

    Wow so this is the technique used by Hendrik Goltzius. It still seems baffling to me. It must take ages, and there is no room for error! I was trying to research how they create the illustrations for portraits on bank notes. It's so detailed. Amazing

  • @ressikanflute
    @ressikanflute6 жыл бұрын

    My goodness... amazing. I think even Joseph Pennell would be impressed.

  • @phe9238
    @phe92382 жыл бұрын

    As mentioned: it's beautyful!

  • @JohnnyArtPavlou
    @JohnnyArtPavlou2 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic!!

  • @johnnyoro4
    @johnnyoro49 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful work! :)

  • @Metacognition88
    @Metacognition8811 жыл бұрын

    Awesome demonstration. Paul revere would be proud.

  • @mirandabarrett8987
    @mirandabarrett89873 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful!

  • @brianbailey462
    @brianbailey4622 жыл бұрын

    that camera work was stunning

  • @markboetius
    @markboetius7 жыл бұрын

    Thank you :-) : very clear demonstration.

  • @barrieallan
    @barrieallan9 жыл бұрын

    great work man

  • @jsebastiengelinas
    @jsebastiengelinas11 жыл бұрын

    ...oh wow... this is amazing.

  • @saphrinna
    @saphrinna9 жыл бұрын

    Wow that's amazing

  • @jayroland9481
    @jayroland94812 жыл бұрын

    Quite amazing, thank you.

  • @joaovitormr471
    @joaovitormr4712 жыл бұрын

    Amazing! Thank you!

  • @LightHolmes
    @LightHolmes4 жыл бұрын

    This is amazing.

  • @wikuscombrinck512
    @wikuscombrinck5122 жыл бұрын

    Awesome information

  • @karen12345697
    @karen123456973 жыл бұрын

    This is beautiful

  • @BengtRosini13
    @BengtRosini133 жыл бұрын

    Superb work, very informative. I need access to some of these materials and tools.

  • @legendrebernard2549
    @legendrebernard25494 жыл бұрын

    It is perfectly explained thanks a lot for sharing, a great pleasure merci . From french Brittany ;) :) :)

  • @denasewell
    @denasewell5 жыл бұрын

    Amazing!

  • @JudgeFredd
    @JudgeFredd8 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful

  • @berndthiel613
    @berndthiel6132 жыл бұрын

    Brillant !

  • @porkscratchings5428
    @porkscratchings54282 жыл бұрын

    Amazing, now I know how ! Thanks 🙏

  • @laetitia2686
    @laetitia26867 жыл бұрын

    Waouh, it's amazing !!!

  • @IrisYoungPrintmaker
    @IrisYoungPrintmaker23 күн бұрын

    Wow, super nice

  • @juakarlospuerto9490
    @juakarlospuerto94907 жыл бұрын

    Hermoso trabajo de gravado

  • @whotusay750
    @whotusay7509 жыл бұрын

    Spot on 👍

  • @edwinmiranda8174
    @edwinmiranda81747 ай бұрын

    Amazing

  • @hmax1591
    @hmax15912 жыл бұрын

    Nice. Great job. I do have this small portrait of Benjamin Franklin with the number 100 on corners I want you to do for me in green ink.

  • @Argyll9846
    @Argyll98462 жыл бұрын

    Impressive!

  • @bastmode882
    @bastmode8823 жыл бұрын

    Super cool.

  • @moogybannahilstopaflingon6803
    @moogybannahilstopaflingon68035 жыл бұрын

    Extraordinary...

  • @NewbFixer
    @NewbFixer2 жыл бұрын

    Insane Skills

  • @madisonvannuys9236
    @madisonvannuys92366 жыл бұрын

    He’s so attractive and talented my little heart can not handle this

  • @icanplaythepiano3939
    @icanplaythepiano39394 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • @TheMrcaLu
    @TheMrcaLu2 жыл бұрын

    NO WORDS 👏👏👏

  • @sandysox
    @sandysox2 жыл бұрын

    Oh the hours and concentrating on engraving in the first place....wonderful....how did they work out the process in the old days? Did you find out what to do from writings?

  • @Leejka
    @Leejka9 жыл бұрын

    Amazing ! :)

  • @briehopkins803
    @briehopkins8037 жыл бұрын

    Amazing. 😱

  • @charissvalerie
    @charissvalerie14 жыл бұрын

    That was really cool! How long did the entire process take?

  • @user-fm2vh1gv4v
    @user-fm2vh1gv4v3 жыл бұрын

    that's amazing

  • @zero15388
    @zero153888 жыл бұрын

    impressive thumbs

  • @Tarmantarmant
    @Tarmantarmant2 жыл бұрын

    Nice video....

  • @andomaxcha
    @andomaxcha11 жыл бұрын

    its amazing

  • @pyrogenetix
    @pyrogenetix13 жыл бұрын

    woa that's really beautiful

  • @peraera5241
    @peraera52413 жыл бұрын

    Perfect

  • @sykoza789
    @sykoza7892 жыл бұрын

    Thts so beautiful

  • @runner406
    @runner4066 жыл бұрын

    Awesome

  • @srinivaskari
    @srinivaskari9 жыл бұрын

    beautiful work.....this needs a lot of skill...which means not all engravers can do an equally good job - there will be some engravers who are better at engraving than others....

  • @Estudinho
    @Estudinho4 жыл бұрын

    Amazing, thanks f sharing. Do you do any work on photogravure on copper plate by any chance? All the best f Perú

  • @trekranger
    @trekranger13 жыл бұрын

    where do you get your tools ? what do you think a started should buy first?

  • @CoolDude-ip9no
    @CoolDude-ip9no3 жыл бұрын

    Do u have the full engraving process of that masterpiece?

  • @realphukka
    @realphukka6 жыл бұрын

    How did you remove the wax from the copper plate once you finished scratching?

  • @TheDaxy5
    @TheDaxy511 жыл бұрын

    Can't wait to do the copperplate and other graphic art. I am in the academy of fine art in Zagreb and for now i just have drawing, nude and sculpting class with many other classes which are just studies of art history. Sorry for english : /

  • @avrenelroysaragi5364
    @avrenelroysaragi53643 жыл бұрын

    woww what a process

  • @moschino2
    @moschino26 жыл бұрын

    very nice

  • @balinthonvari7723
    @balinthonvari77232 жыл бұрын

    beautiful work!

  • @jlanta
    @jlanta7 жыл бұрын

    grande!!!