monotype print

I think that it is the imperfections of this monotype print that make it beautiful. You can see this original print at the Made in Haverhill Holiday shop, 30 Emerson Street, Haverhill.

• I made this print with just one twig as my stencil.
• I printed only portions of the plate at a time
• I put both he shaped impression and the detailed impression on the same piece of paper
• All the random holes and marks were made but defects in a very old gelatin plate

Do you embrace the imperfections in your plate or prints? Maybe you could try it and see what happens.

I have collected lots of stamping tools and made many stencils for creating monotype prints with the glycerin and gelatin plate. Sometimes too many tools can be overwhelming.

By limiting my tools I can:

• really explore the potential marks of that stencil or stamp
• learn how to manipulate the ink for that tool
• find exciting surprises
• create compositions that are dynamic

So for me, I spend time exploring tools and their best uses and then there is time to print a series of monotypes.

How do you get started on a new series of prints?

• Just jump in?
• Plan it all out?
• Start with what you know?
• Try something new?
• Set limits?
• Create goals or expectations?

I have probably tried them all, expect “plan it all out.” I guess the main thing is that somehow I get started making prints. Once the ink is rolling and the brayer spinning, then the magic will start to happen.

Enjoy a short video.

• What is negative space?
• Why is it a good thing?
• How do you get better at seeing negative space?
• How can it make your monotype prints better?

Get answers and explore improving your monotype prints through the use of negative space in the next session of Make Monotypes, the online printmaking course, using water based ink, paper and the homemade glycerin and gelatin plate.

Read the details here and register today.