Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Monotype(Monoprint)
First used by the Italian artist Giovanni Castiglione in the 17th century.
The process produces a single print by using pressure to transfer an image drawn or painted on one surface to another surface. The image is drawn on a smooth surface such as a sheet of glass, a litho stone, or an etching plate- usually in oil colors diluted with turpentine. A sheet of paper, often dampened, is placed over the completed image and burnished by hand or run through an etching or lithographic press. Watercolors and litho inks also work well.
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, The Nativity with Angels, c. 1655. Monotype
If a sheet of glass or Plexiglas is used as the drawing surface, a guide drawing for the image can be placed underneath. Thus, a number of very similar monotype images can be made.
from Donald Saff and Deli Sacilotto,
Printmaking, History and Process, Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1977, p. 348
You will need: Printmaking paper that has been torn to match desired print size. Printing ink. (Water-based or oil-based), Brayers, A sheet of Plexiglas sized to match desired print. Q-tips, rags, or brushes. Turpentine or Mineral spirit. Gloves
Step 1: Using a Double cut flat file, beveling edges of the Plexiglas. Tear paper and dampen it with water.
Step2: Applying the ink to the beveled Plexiglas with the brayer by rolling it.
Use the brayer to cover the whole surface of the Plexiglas.
Step 3: Use a rag, Q-tip, or brush to wipe away, or draw the image that you want to represent.
Step 4: Adjust for the right tension on your printing press. Put your Plexiglas to the printing press and lay it with the ink side up. Lay the dampen paper gently on top of the glass. Once it is down, be careful to not move the paper. Cover it with newsprint and the felts. Roll your print through the press at a consistent speed without stopping.
Step 5: Peel back your paper carefully from the plate and the monoprint can be printed with other print methods such as a lithograph or etching.
Original Monoprint
Etching with the monoprint
You can use other materials such as a dried leaf, lace, or air bubble wrap for special effects.
Also, you can watch the process through Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajx3d7PTm68
