52 Weeks of Art: Week 30

Week 30: Monotype

Welcome to week 30 of 52 weeks of art! What are we doing this week?

     For this week we have monotype for our medium. Now, this is something I have never done before. Of course, that's the whole point of this 52 week art adventure, to try new things. However, lucky for me, Rebecca just finished teaching her elementary classes monotype. So, she was my teacher this week and showed me what to do.

     What is monotype? It's a type of print making, but it's a one and done sort of situation. I apologize again, I didn't get any process photos. Ugh. I really need to work on that. Alright, so here's the whole process:

     Step one: Get a piece of acrylic, or glass from a picture frame, and rub a small amount of dish soap all over the surface. Don't wash it off, just rub it all around.

     Step two: Using watercolor paint, or markers, or any similar type of ink, quickly paint your picture/design onto your prepared surface (acrylic or glass). You really want to make sure the paint/ink stays wet.

     Step four: Take your paper and press it over your painting. Press good, but try not to move the paper so you don't mess up your design.

     Step five: Admire your work of art.

Here's some REAL monotype artwork for you to look at before you get to mine:

Here's a Degas monotype. He's pretty amazing.

Here's another amazing piece by Degas.

     I just used my trusty watercolor paints. For paper, I used three different types: cold press watercolor, hot press watercolor, and print making paper.

     Here's my various attempts at monotype:

   

This is my monotype on cold press watercolor paper.

This was supposed to be some flowers. This is the hot press watercolor paper.

And this one is  print making paper.

   

          

On to rating monotype...

     Just a reminder on the criteria for rating each medium.

Ease of use: How easy was this medium to use.

Affordability: How affordable supplies are for each medium.

Accessibility: How easily accessible supplies are for each medium. Example, are specific tools required that are hard to find?

Fun to Use: How much enjoyment I got out of using this medium

     So, for monotype, my rating is: 18

Ease of use: 5

 Monotype is a surprisingly easy medium. Especially if you're not too concerned about getting details. It works out really well for more abstract art.

Affordability: 5

    Since we used watercolors/markers for ours, it is very affordable.

Accessibility: 5

     All the things needed for this type of monotype printing can pretty much be found around your house. If not, you can get them easily just about anywhere.

Fun to Use: 3

  I thought this was okay. I got frustrated because it wasn't working out the way I wanted it to. If I had tried to just go completely abstract I wouldn't have had any problems with it. Will I be doing monotype printing again? Probably not.

     If you would like to go on this epic art adventure with me, next week we will be doing...

     If you choose to follow along, please post your work using #52weekartadventure!