Just completed a new large full-colour monotype using the 3-colour reduction method.
I started off with a sketch which I did in a life drawing session then I developed it into a larger drawing [bottom image] in compressed charcoal, graphite block and white oil pastel onto a sheet of recycled Bockingford 250gsm paper. It had been used for a cyanotype and then thrown away – that’s the bluish colour you can see in places. Then I traced it and used the reverse of the tracing to do a 3-colour reduction monotype, a method similar to that used by the Impressionists Degas and Monet.
I did the first two layers, in Process Yellow and Process Red on Saturday afternoon and went back to Swansea Print Workshop this morning to do the final layer in Process Blue. This method gives a lovely rich black and a full range of colours. I print onto BFK Rives 250gms using oil-based litho/relief inks thinned with plate oil. The method gives one full colour print [the centre image] and one ‘ghost’ monotype [the upper image]. Degas used to work over his ghost images with pastels and these are now possibly famous than his paintings.
This is REALLY geeky stuff isn’t it? 🙂
scribblah 
This is so neat! Printing is such an interesting process. I love the purples/ burgundy in the cloth.
Thanks for liking my post.
Thank you – I love the process and will be doing another tomorrow – it takes a good long day to produce one of these.
ooh thats beautiful. I really like the colours.
Thanks. The technique gives the most amazing colours
Would love to learn more. I’m a printmaker-monotype/etching etc. Not familiar with this technique.
http://www.hladikvoss.com/index.html
There’s more information on my website http://www.scribblah.co.uk. The site isn’t finished yet so apologies for it being a bit all over the place, but the stuff about monotype techniques is finished. If you have any queries please just ask 🙂
Thanks Judith – there’s a fair bit about this technique on my website http://www.scribblah.co.uk and an American printmaker, Vinita Voodt, does a lot with it too.
Hi Rosie
Is that what you call this behaviour ie being a geek
well that must mean I am a total geek – and I had not even realised it !! inspiring stuff !!
hahaha well there’s a lot of it about lol