Monotype
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009Monotypes are made using a blank bevel edged printing plate to which I apply an oil based printing ink by rolling, painting, drawing and sponging on the surface. This extensive additive/subtractive process continues until the image begins to emerge and can then be refined to the point at which I am ready to print.
The plate is then run through an etching press at slightly less pressure than taking a print from an etched plate. This is due to the dampened paper lifting the ink from the surface rather than from the recesses of an etched plate.
Once through the press the blankets are rolled back, tissue lifted away and the printing paper peeled up to reveal the print. A dramatic moment of truth, has the print been realised?
The technique of monotyping as the name implies is a printing process of which only 1 print may be produced. There is no going back to try again, these prints are truly limited (1/1).
The monotype depicted below is entitled ‘Crashing Waves’. It is a view from the coast between Port Grenaugh and Santon Gorge on the Island. In the show I have produced several monotypes from this beautiful stretch of coastline.