Monoprinting with watercolours

A tutorial by artist Flora Doehler showing how to make a monoprint using:
- watercolour or gouache paints
- plexiglass
- cotton rag paper

For more ideas, visit Flora Doehler's studio in Nova Scotia, Canada http://greenwillow.ca
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Tutorial text:

Let me show you how to make a monoprint using watercolor or gouache paints on a Plexiglas surface
And best of all, no printing press is needed!

I started with a sketch I had made of Chinese lanterns in a blue glass vase. The strong colors really excited me as well as the lantern shapes and the vase.

I slid my sketch under the plexiglass to use as a painting guide.

I like to limit my palate to 6 or fewer colors. I use watercolor paint from tubes.

Using fairly thick paint, I painted the scene onto the plexiglass.
An advantage of painting onto plastic is that it is easy to wipe off and make changes before printing the final.

The paint must be dry before you can print it. Use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.

Hold the dry plate up to the light to see if there is enough paint on it.

Meanwhile, soak some printmaking or watercolour paper for 5 minutes in water. The paper should be 100% cotton rag. Blot away the excess water in newsprint or a clean teatowel.

Carefully place the damp paper onto the dry, painted plexiglass. You can transfer the paint by using a brayer, by rubbing a spoon over the paper in a circular motion or by rubbing the paper with your hands.

You can check if paint has transferred by pulling up a corner of it.

The cool thing about this method is the uniformity of texture on the paper. It looks entirely different from a watercolour painting.

My monoprint is ready for a mat and a frame.....and an art show of printmakers in South West Nova Scotia.

Here we are at the opening of Innovation and Tradition held in January and February, 2012.

Monoprinting with watercolours is a simple process that brings stunning results.

Thanks for watching this tutorial. I can show you more tutorials at my studio website at greenwillow.ca

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Tags:

• monoprinting
• printmaking
• Watercolor Painting
• artist tutorial
• Bear River Nova Scotia
• Tutorial
• Artist

[easternstudio]

@NonLinearArts Thanks for your comment! We also fell in love with Nova Scotia after a visit here 6 years ago….very dangerous!!! lol. This is an awesome place of inspiration for artists and nature lovers alike. Meanwhile, try out the monoprinting. It's a great method to use that doesn't require a printing press. - Flora

[NonLinearArts]

What a great technique. Thank you. My husband and I visited Nova Scotia on vacation last June and fell in love with the area. I'll be back to visit your site.