| Monotypes |
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by S. Ross Donohue The monotype is a spontaneous and painterly method of printmaking and the best part is you don't need a press! The image is painted onto any smooth surface - usually a zinc or copper plate, or a sheet of glass. The paper is placed carefully over the image, and transferred by rubbing the back of the sheet with any hard smooth item such as the back of a large spoon. When the paper is removed, the image has been transferred to the paper. Once you have made a basic monotype, there is a lot more to discover! You can add textures to your ink before printing to achieve special effects - press tin foil, feathers, flowers etc. onto the plate. You can prepare your image using paint brushes, rollers, fingers... and much more. Monotypes are becoming more and more popular. In the past, many print competitions would not accept monotypes as the image could not be repeated. I'm glad to say this is now changing - many print competitions/exhibitions now accept not only monotypes but computer graphics. Papers: When printing by hand, it is best to use a light weight paper. This makes the transfer process easier. If using a fragile paper, place a sheet of ordinary paper between your transfer tool and the sheet to receive the image to avoid tearing. Watercolor paper can also be used but you must use more pressure for the transfer. Watercolor paper can be soaked first, and then placed under boards to dry (to avoid warping). Inks: My choice is etching ink. Many artists use acrylics but a medium must used to keep the paint from drying too quickly. Etc. If using a metal plate, bevel the sides and wipe well before printing. Make sure the ink is not too heavy near the edge of your plate or you'll end up with messy plate marks.
If you have access to an etching press, you may want to use it with the
pressure set
to a minimum. The press will give your prints a uniform look, where
printing by hand
you can control which areas you want lighter or darker.
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