George Soper was born in London. He had no formal art training but for a time studied etching under Sir Frank Short. He worked extensively as a printmaker during the 1920s; his most frequent subjects were horses in motion. Soper contributed illustrations to various books and publications, including The Boys’ Own Paper. He was also a keen botanist and conservationist, creating a garden of rare plants at his home in Hertfordshire.

Out of the Wood British Woodcuts and Wood Engravings 1890-1945, The British Council 1991

 

Glossary

  • Etching

    An intaglio process whereby a metal plate (normally copper, zinc or steel) is covered with an acid-resistant layer of rosin mixed with wax. With a sharp point, the artist draws through this ground to reveal the plate beneath. The plate is then placed in an acid bath (a water and acid solution) and the acid bites into the metal plate where the drawn lines have exposed it. The waxy ground is cleaned off and the plate is covered in ink and then wiped clean, so that ink is retained only in the etched lines. The plate can then be printed through an etching press. The strength of the etched lines depends on the length of time the plate is left in the acid bath.

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  • Art Project