A drawing and its inky shadow....
the various attempts I made, working toward the one drawing I decided to use. I had the idea of a figure seated on a chair, a shape of a figure rather than a detailed human person. But the figure wears shoes. And the chair, because chairs are one of my 'things', had to be just a very simple form. The figures are all rather bizarre because I drew with my eyes closed. Yes, I do like a challenge.... but I knew this was the way for me to get the result I had in mind....
Above are photos I took whilst working on drawings for my latest zine 'dreamers' (still a few copies available in my
shop).
Today (no mosaic this Monday, next week) - I thought I would finally write about my own approach to making monoprint drawings. I've written before, but several people have asked me to explain a little about how etc.. and I'm happy to put this post together, as my own technique and approach changes over time.
Making these drawings does not require a printers press or any other specialist equipment. I like to make things that require the most basic of things: needle and thread, paper and pencil, and for monoprint drawing: ink/paint, glass, paper, drawing tool.
I use a sheet of glass from an old picture frame. I use either printers ink (the type you might use for lino) or water-mixable oil paint. In recent times I have preferred the latter as I like the thickness and texture of the paint, it has a slow drying time and allows a variety of results: from very inky and dark, to cloudy, to light and fine lines. The paint/ink is spread across the glass quite evenly and if you prefer you can use a roller, but I use my fingers because I like the slight uneven and fingerprinty result.
When I am making monoprint drawings I am working toward an expressive image, perhaps primitive, minimalist even. There are some drawings that are more elaborate but mostly I'm not aiming toward the fine exactness of an etching, for example. I'm happy to play with chance. My drawings with pencil are very different. When I draw in my sketchbook (see sketchbook sundays posts for examples), I use the eraser as a tool for both editing and blending. And I will make many adjustments sometimes before I get a pencil drawing just so.
With monoprint drawing there is no rubbing out and editing a certain area, though you can work with 'mistakes' and go with the flow.
A sheet of paper is placed over the inked glass and then you draw. Once you have finished drawing, you flip over the paper and there is your monoprinted image. I draw with a long darning needle. So when I am drawing I am just denting gently into the paper and not making any easily seen impression. I have to work in good light so that I can see the finely dented lines. Or I can take advantage of not seeing my drawing and can work 'blind', which offers interesting results too. Either way, I have to be careful not to lean on the paper too much, although a few inky smudges made my fingers holding the paper in place are quite acceptable and desirable for me.
It's all about finding your own style and technique of working, of course. I'm showing many examples here but urge anyone who wishes to try monoprint drawing to draw in their own way and to learn through experience, which does take paper and time. Finding your own way of making marks is that big leap toward feeling like you are making something that is truly your own. I can get inspired by other artists, of course, but return again and again to my own obsessions.....
Here's an example of quite a tiny drawing - showing you the inked glass image too. You can see here there is a modest about of paint smeared across the glass. This drawing was made after several previous drawings.
Here's the first drawing I made during a brief session this morning. I had prepared the glass and left it a short while to allow the water-based oil paint to dry just a little. I thought I would work on a simple series of drawings to demonstrate - so chose one of my 'things' - long-eared things, rabbits and hares.... I made a series of little quirky rabbit drawings. Because my inked glass was smaller than the paper area, I lifted and shifted the paper, so that's why the glass does not match up with the drawing!
I attempted to draw a girl holding a rabbit. Wishing to aim for a quite primitive drawing. You can see my attempts starting left to right. I like the first drawing best - because it features an echo of a previous drawing left in the ink, and because I like the really smudgy drawings.
Shadow girl and rabbit
Various drawings showing the different quality of line achieved in one drawing session. Here you can see my first drawing in the centre and then as I continued to draw so I switched paper to a smoother cartridge paper that is best for showing fine line.
Further tips: experiment with using different inks, paints and colours. Do not limit yourself to one type of paper. I also try and use old envelopes, fabric, tissue paper etc.... If you are wishing to try this with young children or less able folk, and would prefer not to use glass - then try very glossy paper or plastic folders. Just smear the paint/ink across very thinly and experiment. I've made drawings in the past using the cover of an old magazine as my 'glass'. You can also use perspex of course. Instead of drawing with a needle as I do, other drawing tools to use are of course etching tools, pointed tips of ceramics tools, sharpened pencils, cocktail sticks.
I hope this post has been both insightful and interesting to you.
This week I am very busy working toward many new things for my shop update on the 24th. I'm also dyeing lots of wool for a particular project but I'll write about that tomorrow.
Have a happy Monday x
spinning wool dyed with viola flowers
