A wee squint into a sketchy spidery page of my etching sketchbook. A brief glimpse into the beginnings of working-out the workings of (my) arachnophobia. It’s definitely all about the legs. Spider legs! And the Eratigena sp (Tegenaria/ house spider) is absolutely where it’s at!
I decided a couple of weeks ago that a spider project, directed at arachnophobia, would be beneficial. In many ways. One as a focus for my copper plate etching/ printmaking, but also as a final bludgeon to the death of this dreadful affliction. May it be murdered without mercy and sacrificed with self-satisfied aplomb. I could go on…
Back to the sketchbook
Lines and angles are important features. And I conclude that it’s not just about the outline, but the overall structure and full complement of lines that matter.
With thanks to the good people of the UK Spiders group who have shared their photos with me, a couple used to help in reference here.
I am delighted to report that at this stage, my phobia response is a phenomenal zero (point five)!
Given not so long ago, even hearing the word ‘spider’ would send a shiver down my spine, I reckon I’m doing alright!
>Have a look here< for an account of my arachnophobia – from not all that long ago (not even 2 months!). And >here< for my pink wire spider blog – the start of it all.
A close encounter with the plate – which is only about 10cm long in real life.
Which would actually be on the small side for an Eratigina gigantica (Large house spider)…
I’ve already made some changes to the drawing having seen it close up here!
I will etch the plate in stages. As a result, this should ensure that the details (i.e. hairs!) are (hopefully) finer than the lines. After this, I will drypoint after the etching, stripping, stopping out, aquatinting and re-etching process is done.
Watch this space for the actual print, (which seems quite a long way off at this stage)!
If you have any spider photos you’d be happy for me to use, I’d be delighted to add them to my (growing) collection!
You can reach me at: [email protected] or send a message via my Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/janebaxterart/
Thank you!
