There are two major ways of etching, in this case I used the "vertical method". The vertical method means that you draw the major area or what will be the darkest lines on the plate. The following etches will reinforce these areas as the longer the plate remains in the acid the deeper the etch.

With the horizontal method you finish the drawing and as you etch in the acid you block those areas that should remain lighter.

With the "Vertical" method I find it easier to control the overlapping lines and the plasticity of the image.  The difficulty is that the end result must be envisioned and planned for.

I have found that it ‘s usually not necessary to go beyond three or four bites for each plate.  Each bite takes about an hour with the weak solution.  Between the bites I make sure that there remain no chemical deposits so that the following bite will be continuous.

Patience is very important.