Monoprint line technique

My Drawing 3 and Portfolio Prep classes are creating monoprint images in class this week. They had been working on reduction monoprints first, which is a technique where ink is wiped off the plate to create areas of positive and negative values, and textures.

This week we will be trying Line Monoprints. I have made an example to demonstrate the process.

First, roll ink onto a plastic plate with a brayer. I used masking tape to first make a border, and then peeled it off for clear precise edges. I used black Akua intaglio ink for this print.

Next I laid a sheet of Rives Light paper over the inked area, and taped it into place. I used a ball point pen to draw a rather detailed drawing of a dragonfly, that I had photographed last summer, onto the paper. 

After completing the drawing, I gently peeled it back to reveal the image underneath. The quality of line and shading is similar to a charcoal drawing. There is also a negative image left onto the inked plate which can be printed using a printing press and damp paper. 

positive  and negative

When the prints are dry, one can add watercolor wash, colored pencil, pastel pencil, or other mediums.

"Passion"

Illustration Friday "Passion"

I'm enjoying a snowy day at home, with a cup of tea, and birds fluttering around the feeders. While many areas nearer the coast are experiencing a nasty blizzard, we are seeing less wind and lower amounts of accumulation. It's still pretty wild out there, but nothing a New England native would get too worked up about. We have had a cold winter so far, but not a snowy one. It looks like the pattern may be changing, as there are indications of more snow events in the week ahead.

I dropped off my entry for the Minumental Show yesterday at the gallery at NHIA. Hopefully, my tiny butterfly print will sell for the amazing price of $35. I got some positive feedback on the mini print, so will look through my photos for other images to try. The printing of the tiny print isn't too difficult, but the carving is tricky. I need to find a small tool that would help to cut small circular shapes. I'm picturing a tiny straw-like piece. Any ideas?

A Tiny Butterfly

This is the smallest reductive block print that I have ever made! It's for the "2015 Minumental Show" at the NH Institute of Art. Every artwork must be no larger than 4" x 4" in size for this show, and be priced for $55.95 or less. The show opens on January 28th.

They used to be no larger than 2" x 2" for previous shows. I guess I should have read the fine print before I carved the block. It's so cute though!

Toy

Illustration Friday "toy"

Sometimes the boxes are more fun than the original contents!

Illustration Friday "nefarious"

                                                                 "Nefarious"

I admit I had to look up the definition of this week's topic---I knew it was something negative, but I wasn't sure exactly. With all the horrific news of terrorism around the world this week, I had a hard time coming up with an idea that would fit my style of drawing, and not be too depressing. So it's back to the Wild West for this illustration!

Illustration Friday---"invention"

I'm not sure what this invention does!

I hand-colored a black and white version of "Ball Jar" print using watercolor pencils. My intention while planning and carving the block, was to leave enough material to be able to print the final state beyond the original edition of 12.

The reduction version 

We are starting the first week of the new year with a bit of snow overnight. Then a day of steadily warming temperatures tomorrow, and the prediction of increasingly frigid cold for next week. It makes me wish for a little vacation to a tropical island!