Three more goats

 

Getting into the swing of it now. The last photo shows the plastic plate and the lino.

Experiments with a goat

These goats started off as a linocut, but when I printed it it didn't look finished. I liked the way the beard and horns balanced each other in an S shape though so didn't want to scrap it completely. I thought about doing a monotype background, but wanted a more unified image than two separate layers (monotype then linocut), so instead I combined the two by printing the lino onto the plastic plate, using brushes to alter it and add other textures, and then hand printing the ink from the plate onto damp paper.

These are only my first attempts, but it's worked very well so far. I wouldn't have been able to make such a detailed image with monotype alone, and it's made some interesting marks and textures that wouldn't have been possible with either medium used separately. It also means that each print is different, which I like.

Four horses

Horse, 45 x 60cm, monotype on Rives BFK.

I've never really done horses before so I used some horse anatomy pictures to understand how they're put together. It was a change to my usual method of drawing from my head, but I enjoyed seeing how the muscles and bones go together and then trying to put them into different positions. I haven't studied anatomical drawings before but I think I will again as it's shown me that there's still a lot I should learn about the other animals I draw. Having said that, I didn't try to stick to it religiously as I'm not sure their bodies would really bend as much as I'd like them to! The horse above is the last one, and my favourite. The other three I did before it are below.

And another

I could make a whole series of these. Drying and storage space is getting scarce though. I love my studio but sometimes I wish is was a lot lot bigger so I could fit in a drying rack and one of those big sets of drawers.

Endgame 2. 45 x 60cm.

Big monotype number two

Today I tried another larger scale monotype. I wouldn't usually be able to spend so much time in the studio but the Christmas and new year holiday means that my partner is at home and can watch our little girl.

I really enjoyed doing this one - usually I have quite a few false starts but this one came out pretty smoothly. I have conflicting feelings about the subject of the print. It's the same when watching wildlife documentaries, I automatically want to deer to get away, but then the wolf would die of hunger. I don't want to look because it's sad and brutal, but I can't tear my eyes away. I've tried to show the elegant and beautiful aspect of it in this print and, as always, my main goal was to create movement and energy.

'Endgame' 45 x 60cm

With the plate after printing.

Something that has surprised me it that I really like the effect that the hand rubbing has made. There are variations and marks that make it seem more personal than you'd get from the uniform pressure of the press (I still much prefer using the press for relief printing though).

Making a big monotype

Today I tried a big monotype. I wanted to see how my monotypes would look on a larger scale, and also find out how well hand burnishing would work (this was much too big for my press). 

First I cut a piece of plexigless to fit nicely on a full sheet of Zerkall paper, then I took the paper down to the house and put it in the bath to soak. Back in the studio I took some pictures of the process (It took about three hours from start to finish):

 

Inking the plate.

Drawing with the end of a paintbrush, starting off with abstract shapes and making it up as I go.

 Wiping off more ink.

The finished plate before printing. After fetching the paper from the bath I blotted it so it was just damp, then laid it over the plate and hand burnished it with a wooden baren.

Lifting the paper off. I was pleased with the transfer, there's no visible difference between hand printing and using the press (just took a lot more time and effort).

The finished print I've called Contortionist. The image size is 45 x 60cm. I don't think it's my best, but I'm pleased with it for a first try at this size. There will definitely be more!

Fox Monotype

Just finished my last print before Christmas. This one's about 24 x 30cm, so a bit bigger than I've worked before. It makes me want to work even bigger! And I would if my press would allow it.

 

 And here it is with the plate after printing:

 

Happy Christmas!