11/15/13- Basic Drawing

Today's Class-  Today we devoted the class to exploring a specific type of printmaking that has a lot in common with drawing, the monotype or monoprint.  Unlike most forms of printmaking, monotypes are not based on a fixed matrix that produces multiple identical images, but rather the images are created using a flat surface, and the ink is manipulated by the artist until the image is as desired.  Only then is the plate printed, the drawing completed before it ever touches the paper.  I started with a slide overview of the history of printmaking, which was interrupted by a fire drill that went on way too long, and then after a quick demonstration of the process, everyone got going, using random still life objects as subjects.

How to make this up-  Find yourself a flat surface (most people today used either plexiglass or glass, but anything that won't absorb water or oil will suffice) and you'll need either black oil based printing ink or oil paint.  We started off with value reduction prints, similar to the first vine charcoal drawings we did, where the whole page was filled in with charcoal and an eraser was used to draw the lights.  In this case, a piece of mat card could be used to spread some of the paint over most of the surface, and then items like corners of mat cards, cotton swabs, cotton balls, bits of paper towels, paint brushes, etc were used to draw lines in the black, or to wipe away larger areas and create shapes of white.  A little vegetable oil made it easier to wipe broad areas of paint.  More paint can be added if too much is removed.  To print, carefully place a piece of paper a little larger than the image on top of the inked drawing and lightly rub your hand over the back of the paper to pick up the ink.  Lift the paper by the edge and see the results of the process.    Above and below are examples of student monotypes made in previous semesters.  Additional examples and the specific assignments can be found here.

This is a class exercise that will be part of your 2nd half portfolio, and must be made up by the last day of the semester to receive credit.  If after reading the above you are not sure of the process, wait and ask me the next time you are in class and make it up after that.

Homework- Although it is not unusual for some students to enjoy this process so much that they go home and make more on their own, it can be very messy and it's very difficult to print in your sketchbook, so no new homework this week.  However, considering how few homework sketches I've seen lately, I'm guessing most of you are behind on homework and I suggest you go back through this blog, look up what you've missed, and use the time this week to make some of them up.

For next class 11/22/13-  Next class we start our study of the last new medium of the semester, conte crayon.  Unlike the wax crayons you are familiar with, in these the pigment is mixed with a clay base, so they are harder than wax crayons and can be used to draw harder edges.  Don't smear as much as charcoal, but they can be blended.  They come in a variety of colors suitable for figure and landscape drawing, but what you need for our class is black and red (usually called sanguine- blood color).  Both colors were stocked in the college bookstore when I last checked, and most art and craft stores should have them in their drawing section. Also bring your 18" x 24" pad, and erasers.