I like to equate monotyping to finger painting. A piece of plexiglass is rolled up with a thin layer of printing ink and the artist manipulates the ink on the plexi surface. Using rags (with and without solvents), brushes, finger tips, cosmetic sponges, Q-tips or similar tools the artist subtracts the ink. In essence, you are adding light and texture to a field of color. Keep in mind that a monotype differs from a monoprint in that there is no etching on my plexiglasss plate. If I were to use an etched plate as my matrix this would be a monoprint.
This series of Magnolias is a good example of a monotype. By using a frosted mylar sheet I draw out my design in permanent pen - this becomes my guide. By taping pieces of cardstock in the corners I have an accurate way to register my plate so I can do multiple layers of ink on a single print. Once my plexiglass plate is inked and placed atop the guide I move to a light-table. Illuminated from behind the guidelines become visible through my thin layer of ink and the removal process begins. For most of these monotypes at least three different layers of ink, each a different color were used to get the final effect.
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