Basic Drawing- Monotype Exercise

How to make this up- The process involves using oil based paint or printing ink on a smooth non-pourous surface. Students in class used glass, plexiglass, or zinc. Something from 5" x 7" to 8" x 10" works best.  The paint was spread out in a smooth thin layer over the whole surface, and then wiped away with a variety of tools, similarly to when we did value reduction drawings with vine charcoal. In this case, paint was removed and manipulated with such tools as Q-tips, mat cards, paint brushes, and paper towels, with a little vegetable oil used to loosen the ink if needed. To print the image, a piece of paper (at least a little larger than the plate) was carefully placed on top and the back of the paper lightly rubbed to transfer the painted design to the paper. I set up a simple group of still life objects (shown above) to provide something to work from. Students did at least two prints using the still life as inspiration, then had the option of creating something from their imaginations. Below are some examples of student prints.

This is a portfolio exercise that should be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit. To do this at home, choose three simple objects and light to create light and shadow patterns. Then do the following-

1) print with drawing of one object

2) print with drawings of two objects together

3) print with one more added object, or rearranging the two objects from the 2nd print. 

4) print with something from your imagination.

Let them dry, then tape them to a page in your big pad.

If you are unclear as to procedure, wait to ask me about it in class next week.