Low Tech Printmaking: Monotype (Online)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

None.

Special Information

Many materials are ‘low tech’ and can be readily found in the home. A materials and equipment shopping list with links to suppliers for specialist materials will be provided to students before the course commences. A list of specialist suppliers is included at the end of this list.

Domestic ‘Low Tech’ materials (essential):

• Any flat surface that is smooth, rigid, wipeable and water resistant (e.g. Tupperware lid, baking sheet, one side of a thick plastic bag taped to a table top, old large place mat, large, ceramic tile etc.)

• Table top / flat base (protected with newspaper or old tablecloth)

• Chopping board

• Rolling pin

• Paper towels / kitchen roll / Tissues

• Yoghurt cartons (empty, clean) or similar

• Thin card (from cereal packets or similar is ideal)

• Sellotape

• Wooden spoon (for burnishing)

• Scissors (for paper and card)

• A4 Cartridge Paper (white Copy Paper and/or any scrap paper will suffice)

• Apron / old shirt

• Vegetable oil

• Paint brushes – acrylic/household/watercolour

• Plastic carrier bags / freezer bags

• Texture materials: for example: felt, leaves, string, corrugated cardboard

• Paint: any, including household emulsion (avoid oil-based paint)

More specialist ‘low tech’ materials (non-essential):

• Sheet of glass, plastic or Perspex (for e.g. from a photo/picture frame),

• Sponge (foam)

• PVA glue

• Thick card (similar to the grey card backings of sketchbooks)

• Aluminium baking foil

• Tracing paper

• Masking tape

• Packing tape

• Sandpaper (fine or a mix of different grits)

• Paint roller (large/small)

• Pencils (H, HB, 2B)

• A4 or A5 Sketchbook (A3 if working on large scale)

• Craft knife

• Ruler

• Cutting edge / metal rule

• Textile cloth, fabric

• Hammer

• Steam iron

• Rags

• Cotton buds

Specialist materials (optional):

• Paint: acrylic, watercolour, gouache (water based), any choice of colour (basic set: red, blue, yellow, black and white)

• Print Roller

• Burnisher (baren)

• Printing ink: ‘Cranfield’ water-based relief ink (or similar)

• Papers:  ‘Fabriano Artistico’ or other similar, watercolour (heavier weight) paper

• Tissue paper (white and different colours)

• Spray bottle filled with water

• Transparent acetate

• Cutting mat

Printmaking Suppliers:

http://www.greyfriarsart.co.uk

https://www.cassart.co.uk/locations/edinburgh

https://intaglioprintmaker.com

https://www.jacksonsart.com

Specialist paper supplies:

https://www.johnpurcell.net

Content of Course

Students will be introduced to a selection of relevant artists’ works in the medium of monoprint and monotype.

Students will learn to apply and manipulate low tech printmaking techniques to produce a selection of their own printed monoprint images. Printing techniques explored are:

1. Introduction to Monoprints and Monotypes

2. Monoprinting from Non-rigid Materials and Textiles

3. Multi-print monotypes

Teaching method(s)

Ideally you should have;

• An up-to-date web browser (Google Chrome recommended) 

• Microphone (ideally headset) and Webcam 

• Strong Internet connection

Teaching will be fully online and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration. Over the course, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor.  Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this taster course, students should be able to:

• Use a selection of tools, inks and equipment found in the home to produce with confidence a selection of their own images in print using simple printmaking techniques at home.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Schmidt, C. Print Workshop: Hand-Printing Techniques and Truly original Projects. Random House Inc. 2010.

• Whittington, C. Tate: Project Print: 30 Projects to Spark Your Creativity. Octopus Publishing Group Ltd. 2020.

Reference:

• Ayres, J. Monotype: Mediums and Methods for Painterly Printmaking. Watson-Guptill Publications. 1991.

Web Sources

Collage of ‘found prints’: Kurt Schwitters

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/schwitters-table-salt-t12391

The Printed Collage by Christina Weyl

https://www.tate.org.uk/research/publications/in-focus/string-composition-128/printed-collage

Kate Owens – Performance Print

https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/stories/toast-artist-residence-kate-owens-turns-block-printing-performance

The Super Ordinary - Yasumi Toyoda

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2020/may/22/awakening-a-sense-of-wonder-in-ordinary-life-in-pictures

Further Techniques:

Hapa Zome monotype

https://caitlynirwin.com/blog/what-is-hapa-zome-printing

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.