Graphic Chemical Soft Liquid Ground - 485ml

Soft Ground, traditionally, is used to replicate the quality of a soft pencil line, to receive a textural transfer from various materials, or to accept the impression of various types of plant matter or animal skins. A soft ground, even when dry, remains soft and sensitive to pressure. Our soft ground is a mixture of 1 part petroleum jelly to, approximately, 3 parts liquid hard ground and is applied with a medium soft rubber brayer that is used for nothing else. Because a soft ground remains sensitive to the touch after it is dry, the plate must be handled with care. Since slight scratches, fingerprints, or bruises will etch we must use a bridge to keep from touching the surface of the plate, and when you store the plate before removing the ground you must not allow anything to touch the grounded surface. The longer you let soft ground sit after you have applied it, the less sensitive it becomes. For maximum receptivity to textures or drawings you should work on the plate immediately after the ground has dried, but allow some time for the ground to “set up” before placing the plate in the mordant.