EAGLE STREET STUDIO

Fine Printmaking, Photography and much more...

​

Monotype is a type of relief printmaking made by drawing or painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. Here at Eagle Street Studio we use plexiglass and gels for our surface. The image is then transferred onto a sheet of paper by pressing the two together, usually using a printing-press. Monotypes can also be created by inking an entire surface and then, using brushes or rags, removing ink to create a subtractive image, e.g. creating lights from a field of opaque colour. The inks used are all water based. 
Monotype produces a unique print, or monotype; most of the ink is removed during the initial pressing. Although subsequent reprintings are sometimes possible, they differ greatly from the first print and are generally considered inferior. These prints from the original plate are called "ghost prints." A print made by pressing a new print onto another surface, effectively making the print into a plate, is called a "cognate." Stencils, watercolor, solvents, brushes, and other tools are often used to embellish a monotype print. Monotypes can be spontaneously executed and with no previous sketch.

Gelli Plate printmaking is just a new medium to use without a press.