Lift Ground

The liftground is based on the fact that water repels oil.
You can draw and paint on the degreased plate with several oil-based materials. For drawing you can use lipstick and oil crayon. For painting you can use heatened coconut oil or a mixture of olive oil and etching ink.
After drying the plate needs to be coated with a layer of hard ground. You do that by laying it horizontally in the aquatint box and spraying it with the hard ground regularly from all sides. Then the coat has to get hardened by drying it. The excess hard ground now can be removed carefully with a rag and some salad oil. After degreasing and drying the plate is ready for applying the aquatint.
It's also possible to use liquid hard ground (Johnson) for that which should be poured onto the plate after drawing on it.
While spraying you should wear a respiration mask and take care for adequate aeration.

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