A series of etching by Knakorn Kachacheewa features figurative images influenced by surrealism school of thoughts. Kachacheewa portrays his reflection of life, its drama, including actors and actresses in the play called "life"

This series presents the award winning artwork "Fertile Area" from the National Exhibition of Art competition.

What is etching?

Etching is the process of using strong acid to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in sunk relief in the metal. Etching is the most important technique for old master prints, and remains widely used today.

What is the process?

In pure etching, a metal (usually copper, zinc or steel) plate is covered with a waxy ground which is resistant to acid. The artist then scratches off the ground with a pointed etching needle where he wants a line to appear in the finished piece, so exposing the bare metal. The plate is then dipped in a bath of acid, technically called the mordant (French for "biting") or etchant, or has acid washed over it. The acid "bites" into the metal, where it is exposed, leaving behind lines sunk into the plate. The remaining ground is then cleaned off the plate.

The plate is inked all over, and then the ink wiped off the surface, leaving only the ink in the etched lines. The plate is then put through a high-pressure printing press together with a sheet of paper. The paper picks up the ink from the etched lines, making a print.

Etching has often been combined with other sunk relief techniques such as engraving (e.g. Rembrandt) or aquatint (e.g. Goya).