Maple | Soft Ground Etching on copper with Chine Collé

Everyday on my walk I pass a stand of maple trees planted along the street, I love the iconic shape and texture.  I have been experimenting with soft ground etching techniques and the maple trees came to mind, I walked down and borrowed one.  Hand-pulled print is made on a copper plate with Charbonnel soft ground.  Using my press I  used the leaf to mark the ground on the plate, later to be etched by the Ferric Chloride.  Cranfield bone black, burnt umber, and rubine red inks on Hahnemühle copperplate paper. Awagami washi paper chine collé. Hand-pulled print by Ray Bidegain Open edition 6"x6"" inches on an 11 x 15" sheet. Chine collé Signed dated and titled by the artist on the lower front.