Color Monotype Printmaking Portrait without a Press
Making a color monotype print portrait (without a press) of my lovely cousin emerging from a swimming pool. These layered color monotype prints get more and more fun as I get familiar with what works, and what should be avoided. Have you tried to make one yet?
Registration of a multi-Color Monotype Print
I’ve received quite a few questions about registration for this layered color style of monotype print since each color (or set of colors) are pressed to the print incrementally.
As long as you’re using a clear sheet of plexiglass or recycled plastic as your printmaking plate, you can look through the plate to align it with your print during the process. See the photo sequence on this below….
Printmaking Links of Interest for You
- The nomenclature of printmaking is rich with new words, nicknames for various methods, and mysterious print process labels that get used interchangeably, which often leads to flustered debates in the comment sections on social media. Pour yourself a cuppa and peruse this printmaking glossary.
- In the same vein as the glossary above, this is a brief overview of various printmaking processes, with some example prints to peruse.
- If you’ve been around this blog for a while, you may have noticed that I enjoy adding additional media to my monotypes. Angie Rogers does a step-by-step photo essay on pulling trace monotypes and then enhancing them with soft pastel. Nice inspiration.
- My favorite printmaking magazine (by far) is Pressing Matters, assembled and designed by the amazing John Coe.
Mentoring Other Artists and Printmakers
I’ve been enjoying my mentorship group over at Mastrius.com immensely. It’s very satisfying to demo different art-making techniques, and then review the work each group member has done using that method to create their own art. Read about Small Groups here.
My group and I have been working on the method of color monotypes featured in this post (and this one and this one and this one too). I love teaching this process because you don’t need a press, and each layer of additional color is transferred simply and quickly with a baren.
Plus, the process is pretty fast, so you can make a lot of monotypes, and we all improve with repetition and practice.
I have a special sale code for you if you’re interested in joining my small group. You can have 20% off for the first three months with me ($62/month instead of $78/month) if you use this code during check-out when you sign up: join309_3mo80. Let me know if you have any questions.
What are you learning about in your creative life these days?
Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you in the next post –
Belinda
P.S. If you’re on Facebook, feel free to join my Monotype group. We have a thriving community of global printmakers, all making and discussing monotypes and monoprints.
Art Quote
Instruction does much, but encouragement, everything.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Ms. Del Pesco, you give me a great gift with these tutorials. I’m so excited I could curse!
Hah-hah-hah, Shelley, I’m cursing with you, and we are salty sailors dancing a jig of printy excitement. Carry on, my friend!
I really like your work and thank you for sharing kit with all of us. I’m also a fan of Pressing Matters digital magazine. I believe I was introduced to it by you.
Hi Gabriele – Thank you for your compliments. Yes, Pressing Matters is such a great magazine. The design, the variety of printmaking, and the writing are all marvelous! I’m so glad you like it too.
This is a beautiful monotype. What do you use to draw the lines on the plate?
Hi Vlasta, If you check the previous posts on this process, you’ll see more details on the supplies. I’m using a grease pencil to draw the image on the plate. Happy printing!