Mono-printing...

Mono-printing... Mono print means you can only create this type of print once (mono meaning 'one') The simplest form of mono print is inking up thin flat textures. For me, everyday 'found' textures/objects from the household work best for example; scrap embossed wallpaper, lace, packaged netting, feathers, doilies, scrims corrugated card...

Ink up the 'found' textures (using any kind of printing ink oil or water based) could be rolled out on a sheet of glass or thin plastic sheets. These textures can be printed onto fabric or paper through a printing press. Think carefully about arranging the textures, for example what will be at the foreground/background. Use a range a colours to give a more interesting design I have used rusty organic colours (not too harsh on the eye!)

 A mono print drawing onto fabric.... 

 

Roll a thin layer of ink evenly onto a sheet of glass, mask tape the fabric to the glass this will enable it to not move around when drawing from observation. Try not to keep touching the fabric (or paper) as you will print and create finger print marks to the fabric - be careful not to rest your hand on it too when drawing. I usually use a red, blue or black biro to draw with as it has a hard ball point and will easily created a printed drawing. The idea is that every mark/line you create will create a mono print on the reverse side of your fabric. I have chosen a natural form and therefore have used an earthy brown ink underneath.

 

 My complete mono print drawing onto fabric, this can be stitched into and better still the 'found' textured mono prints can be collaged around this print and merged together. You can see in this image that I have managed to transfer some finger print marks where extra pressure has been added.

Further reading: Cas Holmes 'The Found Object in Textile Art'

Block Printing....

  A zoomed in detailed drawing of an ikat pattern (watercolour pencils, coloured ink)

Taking inspiration from the book 'From Print to Stitch' by Janet Edmonds I thought it would be a great idea to create a block print from this drawing...

 

Above (left) the block print created onto a thin piece of card with raised sections of foam board shapes from the original drawing. To enhance detail I added thin textures, for example sequins, thin string and rice. To add more line to the piece I scored and peeled away sections of the foam board, any peeled away section will be picked up by the ink. Above (right) is the outcome onto fabric, adding colour to the varnished block print isn't easy as you need to use a cloth to spread ink into all the hard to reach areas. You can never really get neat areas of colour when using a cloth, however care when applying the ink is needed (ensuring the ink isn't too sparse or blobby). The above print was printed through the etching press (this did flatten the foam slightly)

Left is the same block print however inked up using a roller. As you can see this can easily be repeated and lined up to create a repeatative pattern, just like ikat patterned fabric.

Stitching into the fabric will enhance the print, pattern and colour!