Monoprinting – Exclusively Original Prints.

What is Monoprinting? 

Monoprinting is a form of printmaking that has images  that can only be created once.

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With other printing technique you can create a basic plate first (it can be a piece of lino, wood or a metal plate (lithography, woodcut or etching) and then create multiple originals,which are really copies from the same template. But only Monoprinting actually creates unique originals.
Since I learnt the Mono printing technique, I was drawn towards this type of art. This is a real “paradise” for creative people. I produced a series of different images with people, animals etc. using a variety of “tools” for adding “special effects”, making prints interesting and exciting.

I would like to give some insight into Mono-printing for those of you, who have never come across this amazing technique before.

    

It does not allow you to make multiple copies of a single image. Only one impression may be produced by printing or making a collage on the surface. With the Mono-print technique an artist may alter the image in between impressions so that no two prints are absolutely identical. Mono-prints might also have additions of collage or hand painted elements.

My technique of Monoprinting.

("Smoker"- Monoprint by Nadine Platt)

To start with, I usually apply a thick blob of printing ink spread on any convenient flat surface, then make a drawing on it with a sharp stick as quickly as possible while the ink is still wet. After this, I put a piece of paper to cover the image and transfer the ink onto the paper, applying even pressure with a roller on the covering sheet of paper. I can never predict one hundred percent how the final image will appear. Sometimes I would have to remove the previous ink with the drawing upon it all together, re-apply another layer of ink and re-draw the whole picture again to achieve the desired result.
Mono-prints can be made by changing the type, colour and pressure applied on the ink to create different effects.

To make my print more interesting  I like using different printing colours such as black, blue and dark brown inks.


In my work, I am trying to catch details of the images and, at the same time, make them look free and spontaneous. Yes, spontaneity, unpredictability and different combinations of printmaking, drawing and painting all in one is what makes Mono printing an exciting and sometimes challenging process for me. One really has to be creative in the approach to producing images in mono printing. Once it’s imprinted on the paper, there is no turning back – you like it or hate it, destroy and start again.
There can  NEVER be  two identical prints.


Among other artists who used this this technique Georg Baselitz, a Contemporary German Artist and old masters Rembrandt and Degas. Rembrandt used to alter ink as “surface tone” where Degas produced hand painted etchings (although they would be considered to be more monotypes than mono prints), but still being referred to as Mono-prints.

 ("Golfers" -  Monoprint by Nadine Platt)

If you have questions regarding Mono printing, please contact me and also leave your comments and suggestions about other topics you would like to read about on my Blogs.


Please visit www.nadinegallery.co.uk website to see more images. 

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