Laura Casas Valle, a graphic artist based in Arnhem, The Netherlands.
The human figure is a recurring element in her works. Next to this, Laura Casas Valle is firstly fascinated by the etching technique which allows hair-thin lines op paper, and in combination with another technique called aquatint, enabling her to produce beautiful images with sharp details and contrasting deep and dark coloured areas.
However, the technique Laura Casas Valle chooses is a difficult process to produce an image. Etching is an elaborate technique which requires not only a lot of concentration and physical strength to control, but also reverse image-thinking.
The artist first needs to work on the image using the etching needle on waxy zinc or other metal plates, drawing lines and scraping off the wax to expose the bare metal for the larger tinted areas. The metal plates then undergo a chemical process with acid baths, carving the bare metal to form cannelures and eroding surfaces to hold the ink. When finished, these plates will be pressed onto paper to produce a number of editions of the image.
Born:
Amersfoort, 1974, The Netherlands
Education:
Propedeuse Kunstgeschiedenis en Archeologie, Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen (1997 – 1998)
Propedeuse Spaans, Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen (1997 – 1998)
Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Arnhem, Vrije Kunst (1993 – 1997)
Artist’s website:
https://www.lauracasasvalle.nl/