JAH Online Supplement: The Magic of Etching

Article and photos by Lauren Hoeffer

Can’t get enough of etching? Neither can we! As a supplement to our 2018 JAH article, The Magic of Etching, here’s more from decorative etching artist Lauren Hoeffer on her preferred tools and the step-by-step details of her etching process for her piece, “Off the Track.”

Lauren’s preferred tools:

• Dovetail tool (these can also be found in scratchboard or engraving kits at craft stores):
  • Tip: https://www.artsupplywarehouse.com/prodDetail.php?id=22532,
  • Handle: https://www.artsupplywarehouse.com/prodDetail.php?id=22536

• If you plan to become a SERIOUS etching artist, I would highly recommend Rio Rondo’s Carbide scraper set (https://www.riorondo.com/tools/scrapers.html); specifically, tip #CS02 or #CS06. These are what I use now. They are similar to the dovetail tool, but they don’t dull as easily. They are definitely a pricey investment, but they are essential prepping tools for custom painting models as well; a must for any serious model horse artist!

Lauren’s deco etching process:

1. Once you’ve chosen a model, find your design inspiration, whether it be from the internet, a drawing, or wherever strikes your fancy!

Sometimes you have a certain model that you feel the desire to etch and need to decide on what to design for it. Other times, you will be inspired by a certain design, and have to find the model that suits it best. Both methods have worked for me!

2. Trace your design onto your tracing paper, using a pencil (mechanical pencil is my preference, but No.2 pencils work just as well).

3. Cut tracing paper around your drawing down to make it easier to hold against the model as you trace and transfer it. Be sure to leave enough room for your fingers to hold the design as you redraw and trace it onto the model.

4. Using your pencil of choice, either retrace the design on the flipside of the paper, or use the pencil led to “scumble” in the flipside of the design. Either way you will create a layer of graphite, that when placed against the model, will transfer your design as you trace it.

5. After you have positioned your design on the model to your satisfaction… start to trace.

Things to remember:

Always keep your design handy to reference back to… just in case you rub part of the design off as you work!

I prefer not to trace the entire design on at once. As you handle the model, the graphite you trace will be worn away by your skin contact. It’s usually easy enough to line the tracing paper back up with what you have etched when it is time to trace what remains of your design onto the model.

If you don’t like how your traced design looks on your model… erase it and try again! That is the awesome part about using pencil first… a dab of water on a paper towel, or an eraser, and you can erase the design and start over!

6. Once you have transferred part (or all) of your design onto the model, and like what you see… pick up your dovetail or carbide scraper, and carefully started to etch.

There are many ways you can hold the tool as you etch… but I tend to find it easiest to hold the scraper, and push upwards with my thumb, guiding the point with my fingers. I use small motions, carefully removing paint with the tip of my scraper as I go.

Don’t be discouraged if you slip! Just work that extra scratch into your design

Take it slow! Some models are easier to etch than others. Start with a very light touch, until you determine how much pressure is needed to remove the paint on any given model.

Keep in mind that etching is a subtractive process; you can ALWAYS remove more… but you can NEVER put the paint back. I try to think of it as I am carving and shaping the design in the paint. It might look rough at first, but I can always go back into my lines and clean or refine them.

Don’t be afraid to adjust how you hold the model as you work! I find that I will flip the model I’m working on in my hands… all sorts of different ways!  Always keep your hands comfortable!

Sometimes changing how you hold the model as you etch, also changes how easily the paint off scratches off. If you are having trouble removing the paint while holding the model upright, try flipping it upside down. Sometimes changing the angle is all you need to make your job easier!