ABOUT MONOPRINTS

Monoprint is a unique process in which one can use a combination of painting and printmaking techniques. It results in a one of a kind image and some effects that cannot be achieved in any other form of art. Monoprint is a spontaneous technique that gives the artist freedom to work with a wide selection of materials like inks, pencils, crayons and pastels. The artist can choose from a variety of methods to transfer images.

The process produces a single print by using pressure to transfer an image drawn or painted on a plexiglass. The image is created on the plexiglass by inking the plate with a brayer [roller] and then manipulating the ink with various methods. A sheet of paper, often dampened, is placed over the completed image and run through the press by mechanically moving it under rollers. The image then gets transferred onto the paper. In many cases the plate is cleaned and rolled on with another color and/or another image and then printed over the first image.

There are two basic methods of working on the plate: the additive and the subtractive. In the additive approach, the image is painted in positive directly on the plate. This is known as working into light filled. In a subtractive approach, the ink is applied all over the plate, and then the image is removed with various tools. This method is also known as working from a dark filled.

Chin Colle is another technique where rice paper is collaged onto the printmaking paper, then the painted plate is put on top of it and then run through the press. This way collaged paper and the ink is applied in one run through the press.

Frottage is a hand transfer technique by which unique images are created by placing paper over a textured surface and rubbing the paper with a crayon or pencil.

Each monoprint is different and unique so I may use one or more techniques to achieve the image I want to create.