Here is my attempt at a multi-color reduction linoleum block print, about 8" x 10" which I am calling 'Mola Reduction'. It is a run of sixteen, each one slightly different. So I guess technically it's a "monoprint".I used elbow grease and a baren (and sometimes also a wooden spoon) to print them. It was a heck of a lot of work but I learned quite a bit about the technical side of the operation. Particularly about inks! (I printed the last color about forty eight hours ago and it's still tacky.) Those pesky inks! It was impossible for me to mix the exact colors that I wanted. More practice!
Here is one of my monoprints from this weekend's class with Penny Barringer at Discover Graphics Atelier at the Art League. Cool stuff!!! This one is done using the viscosity method of creating monotypes. I liked the process and I enjoyed the results. We also tried watercolor transfer, chine colle (my least favorite -- I just don't "get" collage, I guess), the reduction method, and the "ala poupee" method of applying the inks. Ala poupee is basically fingerpainting on the plate, a thing that is great fun. (My fingernails will never be clean again!)But the viscosity method was my favorite. I'm not sure why. I think it was the way the differently inked areas looked when printed. Very lush and luxuriant next to very flat and pure. I am going to experiment to see if I can create viscosity-like results with the water-based inks. According to the information on the Akua website, it is possible. We'll see.
This is a very quick study of Mr. Black Trousers on Metro. I am experimenting with Noodler's Red/Black ink and comparing it to my favorite Noodler's Nightshade. Here the pants+shoes are enhanced with the good old reliable black washy Pilot Razor Point.This weekend I am going to be taking a Monoprinting Workshop at the Art League. To see if I like it. More later!
