2016 Topic #9 Mono Printing {Challenge}

 2016 Topic 9: Mono Printing

Vickie Porter

Hi everyone, Darcy here we are with the start of another topic, this time we are mono printing. This is the technical term for creating 'one off' prints, and there are many ways to do this. The name 'mono' means single, and in this case it means a single print can be made at a time. Each successive print needs more paint or ink applied to the block or plate, this changes each print ever so slightly, meaning no two are identical. With some techniques the changes are deliberate and more pronounced with the addition or removal of elements between prints.

Prints can include paint, ink, collage,stencilling, mark making and additions such as leaves, string and other found objects. All these contribute to very unique prints. Once the plate is ready a layer of paper or fabric is added and pressure applied and the ink or paint is transferred. Altering the colour, type of paint and pressure will all achieve different results. 

This type of printing is spontaneous and unpredictable and although messy can be a lot of fun, with the variations being endless. 

Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 8: White Space Challenge...

Well what a 'clean and minimal' couple of weeks we have had!  Some really beautiful pieces that make the most of space with just pops of colour. Well done everyone that conquered the fear of 'white' and produced great compositions and balance. 

The winner of White Space  is: Laury with this great bookmark from Laury55

Email Darcy to claim your prize. Darcydotneedles@hotmail.com

Joan Bess 

Ok let's get into this topic and see how many techniques we can find. As you might have guessed printing is not new, artists such as Rembrandt, Degas, Gauguin, Picasso and Matisse are but a few that used mono printing. They experimented with paint and ink, how each layer was applied, with swiping and moving the paint/ink around with brushes, sponges and sticks, just like we do today. They also added accents by hand after the print was made.

One of the older techniques (and there are many) that you will have heard about and perhaps tried is Lino printing, where sheets of lino are gouged with metal blades to create a design. This is then inked with a brayer and the print is made. Layers can be achieved by then cutting more lino away, adding a different colour ink or paint and replacing the original print to be pulled again.

Small pieces of lino and hand held blades are fairly cheap and easy to find in most art shops, they are an excellent way to get started with printing.

Here is Picasso working on a lino cut from 1959

This is a gorgeous multi layer lino print from Angie Lewin She has a book of her prints, drawings and collage available. I can recommend it as a beautiful 'coffee table' book, full of stunning imagery though it does not contain any technique how to's.

Another multi layered lino cut here, this time from Jill Kerr. 

Another older technique still used today is screenprinting, originally called silkscreen printing as silk was used before the invention of synthetic mesh. Evidence of this goes back to China in 960 AD and did not arrive in the West until the 18th century. A blocking template or stencil is used to cover the mesh in the chosen design. Then a blade or squeegee is used to pull paint or ink across the mesh. The medium seeps through the mesh onto the chosen substrate, with only the blanked out areas left clear.

Andy Warhol made screen printing popular in the 1960's, here he is working on one of his iconic images.

Many layers can be added,each a different colour, take a look at this screen print.. this has 21 colours.

Louis Masai

Next we have Collagraphy; this involves gluing items to a stable background such as strong card or wood. One dried, pigments can be applied with a brush or brayer and then a print can be taken. Collagraphs are often done with found objects such as leaves, string, bubble wrap, fibres, card shapes etc the resulting prints can be really interesting.

This stunning hedgerow print by Lynn Bailey has 8 layers, each time items were added or removed to achieve this composition.

and another one from Lynn Bailey. How gorgeous is this print, can you imagine it over book text?

Here is a super simple one done just with paper clips.

There is a great pdf HERE, showing the basics of how to make  a collagraph plate.  

Now for probably the most strange form of printing, while I have known about this for several years I have never tried it and honestly I don't plan to. The technique is Gyotaku and is an ancient Japanese method of printing from fish! Yes you read that correctly, ink is applied to a real fish and then a print is taken. Just the thought of handling the fish is enough to put me off, but even I have to admit the printed results are stunning. If you fancy learning more then have a read of THIS page. 

Jean Kigel

So, onto the forms of printing that most of us are familiar with.. and using plates that are more accessible. after all not everyone has a full fish just hanging around!

The most popular way of printing at the moment is Gelli Printing. This is a flexible plate that looks like Gelatin but is made from mineral oil and a polymer material. Provided you care for your plate it will last a long time, can be used over and over and is easy to clean. All plus points. 

Lucy Brydon

The Gelli plate is available in quite a few sizes now and recently mini plates in various shapes have been launched. If you have a plate and have not yet tried it then now is your chance. The best place to start is the Gelli Arts Website. There you will find lots of hints and tips and they also have a youtube channel that is packed with great videos. 

Gelli prints are useful as a base for so many pieces of art. On this one Dina Wakely has drawn a face over her print. 

Here you can see the round plates have been used onto fabric creating a fabulous piece that has been turned into a cushion. 

Joan Bess

Lots of items can be used on the Gelli plate to create patterns and textures: stencils, found objects, catalyst wedge tools, brushes, foam shapes and stamps. Many can be homemade, just be careful to never use anything with a sharp edge that could damage your plate. 

Marie Allen made these great texture plates from thin foam, these would add brilliant patterning to a gelli printing session. 

Once your prints have been pulled and dried, what can you make? Well how about a papier mache bowl . 

Joan Bess

Or create a bright and cheery card like this from Becky. Simple circles cut from Gelli prints turn into really eyecatching lollipop flowers. 

Great prints are all about the layers, working out from back to front in which order everything should go. Andy Skinner shows just how effective this can be, with a bit of careful planning. 

How about Circles on Stripes. Here Joan has cut prints into strips and then added more prints that have been cut into circles. So striking, it looks like a solar system!

There are so many things that are crying out to be gelli printed, such as SHOES  or how about a CASE. { I think i might love that case a lot}

Once your basic print is ready you can add so many other personal touches, such as stamping, sketching, even embossing. These cards by Godelieve Tijskens have gold embossing added, it adds a further dimension and makes them very special.

You could get all whimsical like Diane did with this cat, follow the link in her name to a complete tutorial. Such a fun piece, check out her steps. 

One of our favourite Gelli artists is the lovely Barbara Gray, her youtube channel is full of fabulous videos. It was hard to pick just one, but this one is so effective. A very simple technique, ideal if you are just getting started. 

I think you will agree there are some great pieces of art out there. But what if you don't have a Gelli plate? well fear not you can still make prints. If you fancy a bit of alchemy you can create your own Gelli plate, Pam Thorburn has a recipe HERE. 

For a cheap alternative try printing from a  Plastic Bag, Alisa Burke shows you how HERE. you could also use a plastic stationery folder in the same way. 

Try asking in your local DIY shop, see if they will cut a couple of pieces of acrylic or perspex for you. You can do mono printing on one piece, but if you use both pieces together you can try Dendritic printing. The name dendritic means 'having a branch form like a tree' You may have seen me demo this technique at a show. You apply paint to one plate and then lay the 2nd plate on top, press a little and then pull apart. The result is amazing, lots of little fern like branches all over the paint. This creates fabulous prints. 

If you have 2 of the large PaperArtsy flexi blocks you can do this technique using those. 

Mike 

Finally I will leave you with one of my favourite videos of the past few years. Laura Kemshall has such a calm and lovely voice and she explains this fabric printing technique so well that you are bound to want to try it. 

So, are you all fired up and ready to get printing? I hope these examples have worked their magic on you. Whether you unpack your Gelli plate,( or indeed have a go at making your own) or if you print from a plastic bag, or if you are really brave and find a fish to print.. I hope you have a great fortnight. 

Don't forget to follow Darcy's and Leandra's pinterest board if this topic pushes your buttons, you will see plenty more examples to whet your appetite there! 

I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!

Darcy 

Topic 9: Mono Printing PaperArtsy Blog Challenge

We'd love you to share your ideas and link up your creative response to our current blog topic. Take a minute to read the challenge guidelines below.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Mono Printing link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, May 15th 2016, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

1. The challenge is a for you to show how you are inspired by the current blog topic.

Your entry should contain:

- a mention of which post inspired you and why, and 

- a link in your blog post to that original post on the PA blog.

The whole concept of this challenge is 'play along with us'. You are encouraged to put your own twist on ideas you see on our blog, do your own thing - whatever grabs you!

2. The link you put on our linky page must lead directly to the specific post on your blog where you have explored the technique/ idea mentioned in point 1 above. Don't link to the home page of your blog.

3. We prefer your challenge blog post is created exclusive to our challenge, but if our topic fits perfectly with another challenge, then you may link to both if appropriate.

4. You are most welcome to use stamps/ products/ substrates you have to hand from a variety of companies, we do not expect you to exclusively use PA products - it's lovely when you do though!

6. You can enter as many times as you like. We don't want to restrict your creativity! 

NB. Link closes at 17:00 Sunday May 15th 2016 (London Time)

7. The winner of the random draw will receive a £50 credit voucher to be redeemed on the PaperArtsy Website. The credit voucher includes VAT and postage. We request that one of your purchases is an A5 rubber stamp. You can add any other items to your basket, but the final total should not exceed £50.

8. Each fortnight on Sunday, the winner will be announced at 19:00 (London time). In the same post, the link for the next fortnight will be posted. 

9. It's your responsibility to claim your prize coupon from Darcy. 

email: darcydotneedles@hotmail.com

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!