Please respond to the readings in at least 150 words. Follow the guidelines for completing lectures and research before posting your work under the appropriate blog entry.
Student Work
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monotype
From the examples you've seen in the printshop and from readings so far, what seem to be the best uses for monotype if combined with other printmaking techniques?
Your comments are due by 1 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 2nd.
From the prints shown in the demos and just around the shop and also from the readings, I think that one of the best uses of monotype prints combined with other printmaking techniques is as a background image. Since some monotype procedures allow for the artist to print using multiple colors at the same time, it seems like monotype is a wonderful addition to all the printmaking techniques. The process cuts down on time and also adds a huge array of colors and types of paints to choose from, as expressed in the reading. It also allows more freedom of movement concerning "mark-making", so if you wanted to add more organic, fluid lines to an already tight and precise piece, monotype appears to be the way to go. Monotype has been called the "painterly method" because it combines painting and printmaking like no other method can. But that's only a part of it. One of my favorite parts of the reading was when it discussed the diverse ways in which different artists have experimented with monotyping. I was also surprised to learn that artists like Picasso and Matisse used monotype. I wasn't aware that it was such a popular method but after reading about it the good qualities of the process become much more apparent.
I agree with both Moriah and Anne in that monotype printing is useful for less detailed spaces, such as backgrounds. It is not easy to print two monotypes’ that will appear identical, such as in screen printing or linoleum printing, therefore each one is unique and individual. I find it to be a technique that appears the closest to painting, because the ink is freely being put on the paper without use of stencils, making it a more controlled approach. Monotype printing also provides artists with the option of texture in the print. I, like Anne, was also surprised that Matisse and Picasso used monotype printing. I suppose the process of being able to remove and add things to your image allows for complete freedom with the work, and a large opportunity for experimentation. Monotype printing is one that I am excited to experiment with because of its viable and flexible characteristics.
Before I read all of your posts that's what was on my mind too. Maybe it is because of my lack of printing experience but backgrounds seem like what monotypes would be the best for. Details would seem complicated to accomplish and I would expect my paint to get all smudged. Maybe it needs much experiment and delicacy but I am not sure how easy that is to achieve in a semester long course only.
all though, I do remember using a technic in 2D foundation with Professor Almond very similar to Monotype. I know my project smudged all over the place but this girl in my class accomplished a beautiful piece with much layering of colors and detail. So I guess now that I think of it if one is careful Monotype might be grate for layering colors and texture too!
I agree with everyone else, monotype seems like a perfect method for creating a cool background in a print. I also really liked all the examples from the readings where monotype was the predominant or only method used, like Rojkovic's Landscape. I love how subtle and organic these prints look. I think in addition to being used as a background layer, monotype could be used to highlights and add texture to certain areas in a print, like maybe you could make a relief print of a face and use monotype to paint in some details. What surprised me in the reading was how incredibly versatile monotype is in terms of how you can make one. For instance, I loved the idea of using torn pieces of paper to block out certain parts of a monotype, or painting directly onto a screen and then pressing it with transparent ink. I'm really excited to start experimenting with different methods!
As everyone else has said, I think monotype is good for creating a background image, but I don't see why it couldn't be used in the foreground as well. It seems to create very flat images, that I can also imagine being transparent. These could be overlayed on top of other images, creating some unique effects. I think that this technique is very effective when creating organic images, such as flowers, because it allows the printmaker to blend colors or create texture, which would make the flower appear very realistic. I have also seen it used to create some abstract geometric shapes, which could be overlayed onto a more defined background. There's an image of a jellyfish that I absolutely love, and it has a black outline/detail with some pastel geometric shapes mixed in amongst its tentacles. I would imagine that this could be recreated using a black screenprint with monotype color accents.
Artists can achieve awesome results by using monotype printing with wooden type. By using a number of small rollers with multiple colors, the printer can achieve a sort of "rainbow roll" look, but the print actually looks much cooler than a rainbow roll and the artist has more control over where the colors are placed on the letters. Another great combination of printing techniques is monotype printing with linoleum printing. The combination of these two techniques allows the artist to create multiple prints that are all different from one another but still similar in content. For example, the artist could use monotype printing to create a unique background and then print the same graphic/picture with linoleum printing in the foreground or visa versa.
..(By visa versa I mean the artist could also make the foreground unique by putting the monotype print in the foreground like you did in the example you showed us in class.)
As everyone else has clearly stated, I believe using monotype for background images makes common sense. However, monotype is a lot more diverse than I thought before reading about the different techniques. The idea of painting combined with printing is very attractive to people who are more talented by hand. Also, monotype serves to give very earthy and surprising results due to its lack of sharp angles and formed structure. Using this method can really be helpful if the artist needs an image that is fluid, moving, and unique. Using monotype would probably not be best for exact images, but one of the ways I thought monotype seems to be very successful was with creating several images in one piece. The painting “Voyage” has several images overlapping by using monotype, and even though the print cannot be created exact several times the image becomes a successful one of a kind print.
I agree with the previous comments stating that creating backgrounds is a good application for the monotype technique. This seems especially true for single-color backgrounds used as a base for screen-printed details. Using monotype printing in this way would eliminate the need to fill the entire screen-printing screen with a single color of ink, and it seems like monotype requires much less intensive cleanup. Since backgrounds do not usually require the precision of detail that screen-printing is known for (i.e. photo-emulsions), it would be smart to not waste the labor involved in screen-printing on simple bocks of color. However, the opposite of the above technique could produce some interesting results as well. A series of identical backgrounds could be produced, and the final touches applied to the prints through the use of monotype. There would be some slight variation (this could, however, be reduced by using proper registration, stencils, and equal pressure), but if an artist is not too concerned with making an edition, this could be a fun way to experiment with the textures produced by different monotype materials
test..test...test...is this thing on?
ReplyDeleteFrom the prints shown in the demos and just around the shop and also from the readings, I think that one of the best uses of monotype prints combined with other printmaking techniques is as a background image. Since some monotype procedures allow for the artist to print using multiple colors at the same time, it seems like monotype is a wonderful addition to all the printmaking techniques. The process cuts down on time and also adds a huge array of colors and types of paints to choose from, as expressed in the reading. It also allows more freedom of movement concerning "mark-making", so if you wanted to add more organic, fluid lines to an already tight and precise piece, monotype appears to be the way to go. Monotype has been called the "painterly method" because it combines painting and printmaking like no other method can. But that's only a part of it. One of my favorite parts of the reading was when it discussed the diverse ways in which different artists have experimented with monotyping. I was also surprised to learn that artists like Picasso and Matisse used monotype. I wasn't aware that it was such a popular method but after reading about it the good qualities of the process become much more apparent.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Moriah and Anne in that monotype printing is useful for less detailed spaces, such as backgrounds. It is not easy to print two monotypes’ that will appear identical, such as in screen printing or linoleum printing, therefore each one is unique and individual. I find it to be a technique that appears the closest to painting, because the ink is freely being put on the paper without use of stencils, making it a more controlled approach. Monotype printing also provides artists with the option of texture in the print. I, like Anne, was also surprised that Matisse and Picasso used monotype printing. I suppose the process of being able to remove and add things to your image allows for complete freedom with the work, and a large opportunity for experimentation. Monotype printing is one that I am excited to experiment with because of its viable and flexible characteristics.
ReplyDeleteBefore I read all of your posts that's what was on my mind too. Maybe it is because of my lack of printing experience but backgrounds seem like what monotypes would be the best for. Details would seem complicated to accomplish and I would expect my paint to get all smudged. Maybe it needs much experiment and delicacy but I am not sure how easy that is to achieve in a semester long course only.
ReplyDeleteall though, I do remember using a technic in 2D foundation with Professor Almond very similar to Monotype. I know my project smudged all over the place but this girl in my class accomplished a beautiful piece with much layering of colors and detail. So I guess now that I think of it if one is careful Monotype might be grate for layering colors and texture too!
I agree with everyone else, monotype seems like a perfect method for creating a cool background in a print. I also really liked all the examples from the readings where monotype was the predominant or only method used, like Rojkovic's Landscape. I love how subtle and organic these prints look. I think in addition to being used as a background layer, monotype could be used to highlights and add texture to certain areas in a print, like maybe you could make a relief print of a face and use monotype to paint in some details. What surprised me in the reading was how incredibly versatile monotype is in terms of how you can make one. For instance, I loved the idea of using torn pieces of paper to block out certain parts of a monotype, or painting directly onto a screen and then pressing it with transparent ink. I'm really excited to start experimenting with different methods!
ReplyDeleteAs everyone else has said, I think monotype is good for creating a background image, but I don't see why it couldn't be used in the foreground as well. It seems to create very flat images, that I can also imagine being transparent. These could be overlayed on top of other images, creating some unique effects. I think that this technique is very effective when creating organic images, such as flowers, because it allows the printmaker to blend colors or create texture, which would make the flower appear very realistic. I have also seen it used to create some abstract geometric shapes, which could be overlayed onto a more defined background. There's an image of a jellyfish that I absolutely love, and it has a black outline/detail with some pastel geometric shapes mixed in amongst its tentacles. I would imagine that this could be recreated using a black screenprint with monotype color accents.
ReplyDeleteArtists can achieve awesome results by using monotype printing with wooden type. By using a number of small rollers with multiple colors, the printer can achieve a sort of "rainbow roll" look, but the print actually looks much cooler than a rainbow roll and the artist has more control over where the colors are placed on the letters.
ReplyDeleteAnother great combination of printing techniques is monotype printing with linoleum printing. The combination of these two techniques allows the artist to create multiple prints that are all different from one another but still similar in content. For example, the artist could use monotype printing to create a unique background and then print the same graphic/picture with linoleum printing in the foreground or visa versa.
..(By visa versa I mean the artist could also make the foreground unique by putting the monotype print in the foreground like you did in the example you showed us in class.)
ReplyDeleteAs everyone else has clearly stated, I believe using monotype for background images makes common sense. However, monotype is a lot more diverse than I thought before reading about the different techniques. The idea of painting combined with printing is very attractive to people who are more talented by hand. Also, monotype serves to give very earthy and surprising results due to its lack of sharp angles and formed structure. Using this method can really be helpful if the artist needs an image that is fluid, moving, and unique. Using monotype would probably not be best for exact images, but one of the ways I thought monotype seems to be very successful was with creating several images in one piece. The painting “Voyage” has several images overlapping by using monotype, and even though the print cannot be created exact several times the image becomes a successful one of a kind print.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the previous comments stating that creating backgrounds is a good application for the monotype technique. This seems especially true for single-color backgrounds used as a base for screen-printed details. Using monotype printing in this way would eliminate the need to fill the entire screen-printing screen with a single color of ink, and it seems like monotype requires much less intensive cleanup. Since backgrounds do not usually require the precision of detail that screen-printing is known for (i.e. photo-emulsions), it would be smart to not waste the labor involved in screen-printing on simple bocks of color.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the opposite of the above technique could produce some interesting results as well. A series of identical backgrounds could be produced, and the final touches applied to the prints through the use of monotype. There would be some slight variation (this could, however, be reduced by using proper registration, stencils, and equal pressure), but if an artist is not too concerned with making an edition, this could be a fun way to experiment with the textures produced by different monotype materials
Wow, great comments everyone! I hope the demo yesterday helped to clarify some of the possibilities, too.
ReplyDelete