Monoprint, Flock & Foil

Today Charlie set up a couple of workshops, to help us to add to the range of processes we include in this project.

The Monoprint was particularly messy - think sticky printing inks and rollers. I managed to create a few prints that I liked, and I tried printing with a knit and printing onto it. But the ink on the knit still hasn't dried *UPDATE* (several days later still not dry) So I'm not sure if I will use this technique in my final work.

Next up was flocking and foiling onto fabric. First you have to paint on a thinnish layer of adhesive in you chosen design (or pull through a screen). You need to use a particular adhesive if using flock, and a particular adhesive if using foil. Then you need to wait for the adhesive to dry (or speed it up with a hairdryer) Once the glue is dry you need to put your flock paper (face down) or foil (face up) onto your design and put in the heat press for 20 secs at 160 degrees. Take it out carefully (it will be HoT!) and peel back the paper or film to reveal your finished design!

I decided to use a gold foil in one of my final samples, I foiled onto a piece of blue wool-like fabric from an old dress I got from the charity shop. I like the juxtaposition of the different textures - shiny foil and soft fabric.

Monoprint or Monotype?

Charlie told asked me whether I was interested in her showing me how to use mono printing, and said yes, so we are going to have a go at it next tuesday when I see her next.

So in preparation I have been doing a little online research into what is is, how to do it, and what sort of results you can get. I found a pretty interesting explanation at monoprints.com. After reading through their website I think that what I will doing is actually monotype, as although pretty similar mono print is when you use a pre-etched plate so you can reproduce the same image with added extras over and over. Monotype is when you paint an image onto; or complete ink up and work into (removing patches of ink with various tools); a blank plate.

According to the website monotype has been implemented by artists including Degas, Matisse and Gauguin. In fact it is believed that Gauguin invented the method of direct trace drawing - laying paper on to a blank inked plate and then drawing the image directly on the back of the paper. Below is a example of Gauguin using this method.

Two Marquesans by Paul Gauguin

image from here