trace monoprint

Working small can lead to big things

monotype print, trace monoprint / /

It can be overwhelming to getting started with a new series or art project. One way to ease into a new project it to work small and do a little something each day.

trace monoprint of a chair

I like working 5″ x 7″. It is small enough to complete quickly and a standard size that can easily be framed up to 8″ x 10″

An in a very short time I can have a collection of drawings, prints or collages for my studio wall.

chair drawings by linda germain

Consider doing a few small works  in one day to get yourself psyched up to continue the “daily doing.”

tacks and clips to display art in progress

Three tips on making small art everyday:

  1. Use supplies that are easy and accessible to you quickly. Minimize prep time and clean up time. That is why daily drawing is so popular, all you need is pen and paper. But if you are printmaker or collage artist or fiber artist find ways to leaves supplies out and ready, so you can quickly make your small daily piece.
  2. Hang up your work. Admire it. Enjoy the growing collection. Try not to judge every little piece. If you give yourself time and space you will see your unique voice evolving and getting clearer.
  3. Keep it fun. Remember this is a practice to support you. If it turns into another chore to get done, then consider changing the subject or medium and get back to a bit of joyful creation.

If you would like to jumpstart a daily habit with some drawings and trace monoprinting, then

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

This is a great class to get playing with loose, expressive drawing and then easily transform those drawings into one of a kind, trace monoprints.

The “big things” that could happen from your “daily doings.”

  • You may have body of work for a solo show
  • You may have a stack of work to frame and sell or gift
  • You may have new and stronger skills
  • You may have become more aware of your unique expression

I think it is worth the try!

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Loving Akua Intaglio ink for Trace Monoprinting

trace monoprint / /

Trace monoprinting is a simple printing process. And having a high quality, slow drying ink like Akua Intaglio makes it even easier.

I am getting ready for the online class, SEE – draw – Print  and making prints and discovering new things in the process.

trace monoprint of abstract flower

I am most pleased with how the Akua Intaglio ink stays active and workable for a very long time. The Akua ink is designed to stay open and workable until it is absorbed into the paper.

So I can leave it on my palette over night and come back the next day and work it a bit with my palette knife and brayer and start pulling prints right away.

aka intaglio and mag mix for making trace monotype prints

It is a soy based formula and does not have the toxic properties of traditional oil based inks.

In the past I have used the speedball water based block printing inks with a retarder to make trace monoprints. That ink dries pretty quickly, so I needed to work fast and spontaneously.

studio set up to make trace monoprint

A good way to try out the Akua inks it to get a starter kit. You get some Intaglio ink, and liquid pigment and transparent base and one modifier. I would suggest getting a jar of Mag Mix too.

I use the Mag Mix to stiffen the ink and make for a cleaner line when making trace monotype prints.

If you are new to printmaking and have never used professional quality inks, please enjoy this video and others by Susan Rostow, the creator of Akua inks.

 

If you would like to explore printmaking without a press, get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

trace monoprints of leaves

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What is a trace monoprint? – video

trace monoprint / /

Watch a quick video and see what a trace monotype print is.

A trace monotype print has a fuzzy line quality that cannot be reproduced with other methods of printmaking. You can free hand draw or you can trace an image.
The process is fast and unpredictable.
You can check out some of my Trace Monotype prints on this page.

A couple of famous artists who used trace monoprinting (ink transfer drawing) are:

Enjoy!

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Making multiple monotypes from a sketch

drawings, trace monoprint / /

One way to get the most from your drawing efforts is to use a drawing or sketch that you like is to make a matrix for printing.

A matrix could be:

  • a screen for screen printing
  • a carved block for relief printing
  • a stencil for gelatin printmaking
  • a guide for trace monoprinting

Not all drawings will be good for every different type of matrix. For example if your drawing is a shapely silhouette, then that would be great for making a stencil for gelatin printmaking.

Gelatin prints by linda germain

If you have a very delicate or detailed drawing then maybe and emulsion style screen print would be the best choice.

emulsion style screen print

The style of drawing that works best for trace monoprinting is bold and expressive line drawings. The lines cannot be too delicate or too close together. Solid shapes should be avoided as well.

Trace monoprints by linda germain

The fuzzy black line and the random plate ink is characteristic of a trace monoprint. Check out my gallery of trace monoprints.

A couple of famous artists who used trace monoprinting (ink transfer drawing) are:

I love the experimental nature of the process combined with a predictable line drawing.  I also love to try to come up with new ways to make lines and marks.

trace monoprint on rusted paper

This is a trace monoprint that I did on rusted paper. The circles were made by pressing down on the paper with a large jar cover.

If you are interested in drawing and turning some of those drawings into trace monoprints, then join us in the online class, Draw into Print.

Read the details on the printmaking workshop page. It is a short 3 day class to get you drawing and printing right away.

make multiple prints from your drawings

From left to right, a trace monoprint, colored with watercolors, top, black line trace monoprint, bottom, 4″ x 6″ original sketch and far right, enlarged and reversed copy used as a matrix. Hope you find this interesting and join us in class.

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Add a trace monoprinted mark

trace monoprint / /

Sometimes a print just needs a little something to make it complete. Today I added the fuzzy line that is typical of a trace monoprint to a few of my gelatin plate prints.

Gelatin plate prints by linda germainThese monotype prints “needed a little something.” I decided to see if I could add some marks through the trace monoprint process, that would complement the existing designs and therefore complete the image.

monotype print with trace monoprint accents I think the loopy line that I added to the bottom of this gelatin print echoes the quality of the marks in the female figure. It gives the piece energy and balance at the same time.

mixed media gelatin print by linda germain

This layered gelatin plate print was interesting. And I think more balanced and interactive after I added the squiggly trace monoprint lines to the left and bottom. A directly hand drawn line would not have the same feel and might be less related to the texture of the figure.

monotype prints with trace monoprinted marks

If you would like to add trace monoprinting to your skill set, then join us today Draw into print, the online art class, starts soon.

It is a 3 day workshop to help to

  • draw contour lines expressively and
  • translate that into a trace monotype print
  • identify ways to use this process in your work

Add a trace monoprinted mark Read More »