Monoprinting

So...I promised I'd share my experience with monoprinting and I've finally screwed up the courage to do so.  For those of you who don't have experience with printmaking, I'll share a very basic overview of several typical methods:

Monotype  or monoprint:  There are two ways to create a this type of print - by rolling ink onto a smooth plate (ie. glass), drawing a design into it and pressing paper onto that pattern;  or by again rolling ink onto a plate and using a tool to press into the back of the paper to transfer ink to the paper (which is what I did).  These tend to be singular prints.

Engraving or etching:  Incising a pattern into a hard, flat surface such as metal with tools (engraving) or using a ground such as wax then acids (etching).

Lithography:  This one is a little more complicated.  A chemical process using a limestone or metal plate along with water-repelling and water-retaining properties to create more detailed images.

Woodcut or linocut:  This is the one most people are familiar with...cutting out the negative spaces in surfaces such as wood, linoleum or rubber to create a 'stamp' on which to apply colour that transfers to paper.

Screenprint:  Woven mesh is stretched onto a frame and a stencil is created (using items such as a liquid rubber).  Once dry, ink is placed inside the frame and pulled along the image with a squeegee to transfer colour to paper or fibre.

I had such high hopes as I have been a fan of the printmaking process for years and a follower of many artists who practice it.  But I have to say that with this little experiment I preferred the watercolour backgrounds I created to the final printed images.  Maybe it's the vibrant colour I prefer.  Oh well...I had fun.  Though I think I'll stick with paint & canvas ;)