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Order of colours for this plate: Raw Sienna, Cardinal Red, Black (mix of 3 types), Green (mix Raw Sienna & Prussian Blue
To begin the monotype a large copper sheet, measuring 800mm wide x 900mm high x 1.2mm thick, is ‘inked-up' by rolling on thin layers of coloured etching ink.
The colours are rolled onto the plate with the composition of the image in mind, in this case forming a loose ‘L' shape with red and yellow for the dancer and black and green background.
Etching ink is oil based and can be very sticky. This helps prevent the layers mixing as they are rolled on. The colours can then remain separate so that they can be seen in the final image.
Order of colours for this plate: Raw Sienna, Cardinal Red, Black (mix of 3 types), Green (mix Raw Sienna & Prussian Blue. |
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The rollers and etching ink on the palette. |
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Detail of the prepared plate and the layered coloured etching ink. |
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Using a brush, the ink is dragged around the plate to sketch the figure in.
A cloth is then used to begin removing some of the ink to reveal the light of the figure. |
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Detail of the beginning of the drawing. |
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The cloth is wrapped over the finger and the ink pushed around and removed where light is required. The finger nail under the cloth helps to define some areas. A brush is also used to drag the ink that is already on the plate across the figure. |
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Continuing to work the detail into the figure and cloth. |
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Using a broad brush, the dark ink which is already on the plate is dragged from the top right of the plate to the figure. |
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Detail of stomach and thigh area. The shine is the clean copper plate.
The scratchy marks in the skirt are created with a finger nail under cloth whilst the broad strokes are created with the flat of the finger. A brush has also been used to drag the ink around.
Notice the warm colour of the copper which creates a flesh effect whilst forming the figure. |
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The image on the copper plate is almost complete.
Before printing, further details on the face are worked on with a brush, cloth and cotton buds for finer detail. The red in the back shoulder is also wiped further to soften the final colour.
Notice the additional work on the legs and front arm of the figure compared to the previous step. |
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The large printing press used to print the images at the Baldessin Press, St Andrews .
To print the image, the prepared plate is place on the press and then a sheet of paper (which has been wet and blotted dry) is placed over the copper plate.
The blanket is placed over the plate and paper and run through the press.
The pressure of the roller transfers the painted image from the plate to the paper. |
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Final Printed image.
Notice the image is in reverse. This is because the paper is placed on top of the copper plate, run through the press and hence lifts the ink from the plate in mirror image
Light in the image is the paper showing through ie where there was no ink on the copper plate. |
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Tools used:
Rollers, Brushes, Cotton buds and Cloth |
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