Saturday, November 28, 2009

Autumn Leaves - Monotype Print

Handpulled Monotype 8cm x 24cm
Red Ochre oil based ink on cream paper

This print evolved through three steps. I inked a plexiglass plate and arranged leaves and plants I had picked up on my morning walk. I covered the plate with foil and pressed it in a book press. The first 'print' was a fun negative image on silver. I then ran the plate with the leaves still in place through the etching press and while the leaves embossed nicely there was still too much ink on the plate and the print was crude. Disappointed, I started lifting the leaves to clean the plate. That was when I discovered a delicate image traced on the plate. Through the etching press once more and above is the final result. You can click the image for more detail.

14 comments:

Elizabeth A Patterson said...

Beautiful, Robyn! I loved hearing about the sequence of events. And, in the end, you have immortalized your morning walk. Wonderful all around.
(What sort of press do you have?)

Felicity Grace said...

It all sounds very complicated to me, but the results are stunning!

Cathy Gatland said...

That's so lovely - amazing what a 3D effect it gives. Your printmaking discoveries sound so exciting Robyn!

Dana said...

I love the work you are doing on your press! The colors are fantastic. I enjoy reading about your process, as well.

Joan said...

This is lovely!!! I like the delicate background texture to the leaves too. Sometimes we get a surprise the way things happen.

dinahmow said...

And did you do the "happy dance" when you discovered the final printable plate?

Anonymous said...

What serendipity! The print is really magnificent.

Papierflieger said...

Robyn, that is a beautiful print, I love the tonalities in the color. Did you put the print three times through the press or is this the third print (a ghost print) ?

Robyn Sinclair said...

Liz - thank you. Since this is the first etching press I've ever used I don't really know what kind it is except it has a big wheel, like a yacht. I'll do a bit of research and get back to you.

Felicity - thank you very much. Actually it wasn't that complicated, I was really just experimenting.

Cathy - thank you. Printmaking excites me too because one never really knows what is going to be under the paper.

Dana - Thank you. I hope you can find a course over the winter.

Joan - thank you :)

Dinah - Indeed I did the happy dance.

Jana - Thank you too. I find often with printmaking good fortune takes over and makes me look better than I really am ;)

Martin - Actually, you are right - this plate went through the press three times so technically this print is a ghost.

A Brush with Color said...

I wish I could watch you do this-I'm sure it makes perfect sense, but I think it sounds daunting. It's just beautiful, anyway!

Caroline said...

Thanks for sharing your process Robyn! I'm enjoying following your printing experiments!

Tgramberg said...

So jealous you can continue with your print making art while I am back in the U.S.A. I love the center of that piece, its a nice break in color.

Joan Y said...

Ooooo, beautiful! I love that you gathered the leaves yourself. And discovered a new "look" in the process! :)

Pat said...

This one turned out wonderful. I love the many layers of tone. It shows great depth. I think all art is serendipity or it would become a craft. Now the real trick is to remember what you did. :]

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