Monotype

Monotype

This is a technique in which the artist essentially paints directly onto a metal plate with inks, often colored. The process has to be quick and decisive, as the freehand painting and passing of the painted block, through the printing press must all take place before the ink has a chance to dry. The artist generally paints in reverse; starting with light colors and working towards dark ones.

The damp paper may make the ink blur or smudge, added to this there is never enough ink to pass the block through the printing press more than once, so the entire process can be nerve-racking. Therefore each monotype is unique.