Printmaking: Monoprint Using Greaseproof Paper "Wilberforce House Gardens"

Printmaking: Monoprint Using Greaseproof Paper "Wilberforce House Gardens"

 

Wilberforce House Gardens, monoprint using greaseproof paper

Introduction

This way of making a monoprint is a variation of the method I used in an earlier post when I made a print of the warehouse hoist using the transfer process as used by Paul Gaugin. That process involved drawing on one side of the paper over an inked surface so that a transfer print appears on the reverse. It means that you can do a sketch from life and then turn it into a print on the spot.

Warehouse Hoist, monoprint using transfer process (see earlier post)

The greaseproof paper method is a process used by a local professional print maker and shared for dissemination of its attractive properties.

I used an image I had from a walk along the River Hull, looking through a window in a wall onto the back of Wilberforce House Gardens.

Process

This method produces a print "as is" and not in reverse:

- Protect table with newspaper
- Obtain ordinary kitchen greaseproof paper
- Create a window in a piece of cardboard (mine was 20cm x20cm)
- Use intaglio etching ink
- Cut the greaseproof paper to fit the frame with an extra 1cm around each side
- Using a pencil (HB ok) draw an outline on the matte side of the greaseproof paper (may use a previous sketch as a guide)
- May use thin or thick printing paper (trace monoprints (as above) work better using thinner printing paper)
- Roll out ink thinly and evenly on glass surface (the first time I did it the ink was too thick and sticky and the print did not work)
- Roll out ink very thinly and in many thin layers in stages over the shiny side of the greaseproof paper, going right to the edge
- Keep going until entirely saturated with ink
- Place the window on clean newsprint
- Turn the greaseproof paper over and place face (inked side) down on to the window, hold, and tape to back to cover the window frame
- Take printing paper
- Lay frame onto printing paper
- Register if want to use another colour
- Use outline sketch already drawn as a guide and build it up using the full frame
- Draw and work with pencil lines, using a variety of pencils (HB - 6B etc) or hard pencil, biro, or finger for soft shadows and shapes
- The key to a good image is to get different tones, lines, dots etc.
- Lift the frame away from the printing paper beneath
- The frame forms the edge
- Can repeat process using a different colour rolled onto clean greaseproof paper

The process

 

To use up rolled out ink:

- Take a picture from a magazine
- Must be glossy/shiny/waterproof paper or a photo (not photocopy paper or newspaper)
- Cut out to correct size
- Use instead of the greaseproof paper
- Roll out ink on glass evenly as before
- Ink up the reverse of the picture
- Turn over and stick down over frame (inked side down)
- Borrow some of the image from the magazine clipping or other image
- Draw over the shapes
- Add shading
- Can improvise and put another piece over the top or over part of the space/drawing (i.e.part of a different image to be included)
- Draw into the space available as freely as wished
- Press edge down
- Lift off frame
- Reveal the print underneath
- Use different lines, pressure tones with finger for dark areas etc.
- Can add colour (use clean piece of greaseproof), or
- Can collage other images over the top - or add water colour

Summary

Monoprinting using greaseproof paper is an excellent way of making a sketch and turning it into a print. The out come is very attractive with lines which resemble lithography. It is versatile, and can be used on the spot to get immediate results. The image is not in reverse, which is an additional advantage. I will use the process again as I think that the outcome was very successful..