Monoprinting over the Christmas Holidays - Part 2

I've been busy printing over the Christmas break, exploring a few different monoprint directions.

I blogged last week about a series I created of Magpie prints, using minimal colours.

My second series of works was based around some leaves I picked up whilst mountain bike riding - they were beautiful fat, dome shaped leaves which I thought would make a great background on a circular plate.  I also cut a new stencil of a Willie Wagtail bird using my soldering iron on thin plastic - makes great edges.

Below are photos of my print sessions and the resulting prints, enjoy!

A plate in progress, showing the layering of objects
that will produce the wonderful textures that I'm addicted to.

The leaves....such character!
Luckily they fit into the pockets of my bike jersey.
And yes the ride was fun though of course I fell off (again).

The objects I used in my print series....I like to work over and over
with the same objects in one printing session.  The colours
get better the more I use an object, so it doesn't make sense
to keep changing unless its seriously not working or the object
breaks apart.

A print with two plates - one square and one round.
One leaf and one stencil.

Wattlebird print.

Willie Wag Tail print - too cute!
Note the aqua colour again - its my favourite....

Using Prussian Blue for the Willie Wag Tail,
instead of black.  I think it lifts the print a bit,
or maybe I just like more colour!

Print using the reverse side of the stencil,
with all the colours picked up from the plate and leaf
in previous print runs.  Delicious!

Monoprinting over the Christmas Holidays - Part 1

I've been busy printing over the Christmas break, exploring a few different monoprint directions.

Firstly, for an upcoming hospital exhibition, I needed to print very large - my plate was 68cm x 46cm - the largest monoprints I ever done.  The large size provided a few interesting compositional challenges, and I also had to make use of my large studio etching press (which is always a pleasure to work with!).

I also wanted to try a new style of just one major colour, highlighted with a black image.  That's quite a challenge for me, given I tend towards 4+ colours and tons of mark making.  Holding back and keeping it minimal isn't easy!

Because I was working big, I did some smaller test prints just to see how my theory would work.  It turned out to be a great idea and gave me plenty of confidence when I had to tackle the bigger prints.

Three of the six successful prints will be exhibited for six months in a local private hospital, alongside some scrub turkey and leaf prints.  I have titled this Magpie series 'The Sentinel' referencing the territorial behaviour of magpies. 

This was my paper soaking 'tray' - a garbage bag as I didn't have a tray or
tub large enough!  Not perfect but worked OK.

In progress - leaves and Magpie stencil

Of course I printed with my favourite colour - Aqua....!
I just love it on these gorgeous gum leaves.

One of the finish prnts.  I couldn't help myself and snuck a
bit of green in there to add a bit of 'pop'!

This print is just aqua with the black caroling Magpie.
Simple and as minimalist as I can get!

I'll blog next week about the second series of monoprints that I did over the holidays.