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Martin Stankewitz born 1954,diploma in forestry,married, 3 children ,3 years of long distance study painting and drawing, 2 years education in "P... (more...)
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"Creative Monotypes" - my way of printing without a press
This lens is about a unique and fascinating way of artist printmaking and provides information for graphic collectors, printers and everyone interested in creative imaging. I am Martin Stankewitz a German printmaker. Edition Handdruck is a hand press venture for production and promotion of my handprinted monotype prints. My main subject is the image of landscape, rural and urban.
I do outdoor sketches on footwalks and turn them into prints in my studio.My work is organised in projects dedicated to places or aspects of local landscape.
I specialise in monotype printing. Here I want to share my experiences and build a resource for all who are interested in this fascinating printing method.
What is a monotype print ? a definition
Difference between monotype and monoprint
"Although monotypes and monoprints involve distinctly different processes, the two terms are often used erroneously as synonyms, or are mistakenly used for each other.
A monotype is a single print pulled from a glass or metal plate on which ink or paint has been applied. The image can be transferred to paper by hand rubbing or with a press. A monotype remains one of a kind because it contains no repeatable matrix in the image from which a perfect second impression can be made.
A monoprint begins with a repeatable matrix in the image, such as an etched plate, which could, if desired, be editioned to produce a series of like impressions. What gives the monoprint its singularity is the process of subsequent hand colouring or doctoring to make it uniquely different or a one of a kind print. A series of monoprints - all derived from the same plate, but then individually hand manipulated - is often called a unique edition and is signed and numbered accordingly."
Monotype printmaking on WIKIPEDIA
Monotyping is a type of printmaking made by drawing or painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. The surface, or matrix, was historically a copper etching plate, but in contemporary work it can vary from zinc or glass to acrylic glass. The image is then transferred onto a sheet of paper by pressing the two together, usually using a printing-press. Monotypes can also be created by inking an entire surface and then, using brushes or rags, removing ink to create a subtractive image, e.g. creating lights from a field of opaque color. The inks used may be oil based or water based. With oil based inks, the paper may be dry, in which case the image has more contrast, or the paper may be damp, in which case the image has a 10 percent greater range of tones.
Unlike monoprinting, monotyping produces a unique print, or monotype, because most of the ink is removed during the initial pressing. Although subsequent reprintings are sometimes possible, they differ greatly from the first print and are generally considered inferior. A second print from the original plate is called a "ghost print" or "cognate". Stencils, watercolor, solvents, brushes, and other tools are often used to embellish a monotype print. Monotypes are often spontaneously executed and with no previous sketch.
Collecting monotypes - from a collectors point of view
Something special and a tip for collectors
Monotypes are rare and special
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Many famous artists used the monotype technique. Edgar Degas, the french impressionist is one of the most popular examples apart from Matisse and Gauguin. However for most of those artists monotyping was a side work with special character.
Again Degas gives an interesting example. His monotypes of boudoir scenes, studies made on the side paths of social life in Paris, were unknown for a long time. After his death they were discovered by his family and partly destroyed as improper. However Picasso had been a keen collector of these works and in his late years even published a famous series of etchings paraphrasing the work of Degas.
Good monotypes are not easy to find as the results in monotyping depend on developed skill,not only in managing form and color,but also the very unique handling of materials.My own search told me whenever you find a good monotype printer, you have found a very special artist with an original,ingenous body of work
Monotypes are a good buy
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Monotypes are unique works and therefore very close to a hand drawing or a painting. Nevertheless very often monotypes are a much better buy for collectors in comparison to traditional paintings for example. The reason for this is that monotypes are mostly classified as prints,shown and marketed in this environment and last not least the artists are mostly printers and active in other forms of printmaking. As a result the prices for monotypes are more than often strongly influenced by the price regime of artis prints with multiple editions (up to 200 copies per print for example). In other words, interested and informed collectors can find unique and outstanding works at very attractive prices just using this special condition on the art market.
Monotype - oil colors on acid free paper- size of sheet 50X70 cm (20"X28"), printed area 35X50 cm(14"X20")
Advantages of monotyping - from an artist point of view
1. A minimum of materials is needed.
Monotyping is much less color consuming than the way of plein air painting I used to do. I can buy the best colors as I know that they will last for a very long time.I do not need a press, a simple glass plate and a brass pestel are all I need.
2. Handling and storage
The surface of the work will dry relatively fast and storage of works on paper is much easier then bulky canvases. Also normal oil paintings need 6 months or more to dry. The monotypes are dry on the surface and ready for storage after 1 week.
3. Creative potential
Painting outdoors always tends to come under the strong influence of the realities, local colors especially. As a result quite often a kind of neo-impressionistic manner will develop. Sketching outdoors without colors gives me the opportunity to explore reality. In developing the print in the studio I can step back from the strong local impressions to develop my own image language. I always can go back to the sketchbook and do a new version.
Monotyping also has a kind of playful character.
In fact there are no rules and there are no such dominating examples in art history as you find them in painting. Since I started doing monotypes I am constantly learning and make new experiences how to handle materials. This freedom is what I like best apart from the other advantages listed here. Any time one can "invent" something new, something not seen yet.
4. Monotyping fits to my way of imagination
Before I start a print I think the image and play in my mind with the possible sequence of printing steps I want to conduct.
5. The results
All what has been said til now would be nothing if I wasn`t so enthusiastic about the quality of art that can be achieved by monotyping. The combination of painterly techniques with drawing and the modifications that the transfer process allows make for the unique image quality of a good monotype. This is also the answer for those who on first sight do not understand why someone would do a painting or drawing and then squeeze it through a press or press it by hand to paper. Monotypes show variations of color and offer options of layer combinations that painting or drawing alone do not have.
To buy a perfect fine art print of this monotype click here
Monotyping materials and tools
my favorite colours for monotypes are oil colours which are also used for "normal" painting. I do not use water soluble colours as the paper I print on will not stay flat after getting in touch with water.
Usually I apply thin layers of colours to avoid that the print is looking like a squeezed oil painting. Oil colors stay reactive for a long time so I can work and shape the color layer for hours if I want. I often use Sennelier oil sticks in combination with standard oil colors.
2. Thinners
I like transparent color layers which I used to achieve by thinning the oil color with balsam turpentine oil. I stopped that because I was concerned about my health condition, even though I had a respiration mask. Today I use this solvent only in rare exceptions and for cleaning my brushes at the end of the process.
I have switched to linseed oil as thinner to get very thin transparent layers. The advantage of linseed oil is apart from not being poisonous that the thin layers do not dry as quickly as before and they do not loose shape that easy. I use only very little amounts of oil to avoid bleeding of the oil into the paper.
For cleaning the plate I use a salad oil.
3.Some Tools
I mainly uses bristle brushes to put the color onto the glass plate. I manipulate the colors also with tissue paper to achive thin layers.
To apply pressure I rub the backside of the paper with a heavy brass pestel after I placed it on the glass plate with the color layer.
4. glass plate
I bought the glass plate at the local window manufacturer. It´s a special glass that does not break as easy as the cheapest qualities. The thickness of the plate is 1 centimeter, little less than half an inch. I am working now on the same plate for more than 2 years.
To buy a perfect fine art print of this monotype click here
What is the best paper for monotype ?
Some considerations
In general printing papers as they are used in etching or other processes are possible,but experimenting with different kinds of papers is very rewarding.
For water based colors one would prefer a paper that will not get wavy after getting wet, unless you have a press and you can dry the sheet between blotters after printing.
Coated papers, or papers with a hard surface are difficult to print on. Papers with an "open" surface structure will accept colors better.
I use a 170gr/sqm drawing/printing paper with a smooth surface. It´s an acidfree archival paper. The volume of the paper is rather high (manufacturer say factor 1,75)and it behaves a bit like a thin carton. The paper is stiff enough to be rolled down to the glass plate smoothly. Also it tolerates heavy rubbing from the backside. The traces that my brass pestel causes on the backside will even disappear partly after some time.
Also this paper takes up oil colors very well. I can print up to 3-4 layers (thin layers notn thick impastos)if I want.
The paper is manufactured by Cordier Spezialpapier, Germany. They call it Schleipen book printing paper on their website (english version).
Some more interesting information about how to choose your paper on the website of The Washington Printmaking Gallery.
How to print without a press
Using a brass pestel as tool in monotype printing
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This tool has a weight of ca. 0,5 kg and I can hold it comfortably at the lower end. The second image shows how this pestel is already polished by the usage.
When I start "printing" I first let the pestel glide with it´s own weight over the backside of the paper. This way the paper will get in touch with the oil color and it will stick better to the glass plate.
After that I increase pressure and velocity of my movements. The pestel gets quite warm not to say hot. The contact area between paper and pestel may be only half a centimeter,but the pressure I create on this spot ist remarkable.
I can see the progress on the back of the paper and I treat the backside in dense strokes in horizontal,vertical direction and in 45% angle.
Printing a monotype without using harmful solvents
The advantages of using bleached linseed or bleached poppy oil in monotype printing
After some search I found an alternative and today I don`t use any material that is signed "Xn". my favorite thinner is now bleached poppy oil. This is an almost water clear oil. The amounts I use to get thin layers are tiny compared to what I used before. Only a few drops and a minimum of color is enough to get the wanted result. Sometimes the layer is hardly visible on the glassplate,but the printing effect is still strong.
The Sky with clouds in the image below was added as final stage of a recent monotype print. I manipulated the thin layer with some tissue paper, working form "darkfield", to get the clouds. The advantage of oil as thinner is that the layer can be manipulated a long time, as the oil doesn`t dry as quickly as solvents do. Therefore you can control and correct your image much better.
To buy a perfect fine art print of this monotype click here
"Creative Monotypes" my way of printing without a press
Free download of tutorial broschure
DIN A5 Format (, 20 pages, 20 colored reproductions of the authors prints.
Cover 300 g/m² glossy laminated, content pages 170 g/m², staple bound.
Monotyping combines methods of drawing,painting and print making and thus offers an immense creative potential. The booklet encourages experimentation and creative thinking as well as development of readers own ideas to find new combinations and extensions of the methods introduced. The whole process of creating a print can be put in a new perspective by considering these methods as elements which can be freely re-combined in a chain development to the final print.
On 6 examples the development of unique prints is explained.
This is a little straight forward turbo loader for the creative amateur or professional in arts and illustration.
Price: $12.- plus $6.- for airmal postage US/UK or other destinations
orders per email to Edition Handdruck (e-post(at)edition-handdruck.de),shipment only after advanced payment by money order or PAYPAL
Unfortunately my printer has discontinued the format of this broschure and therefore there are only a few copies left for sale. For those who might not mind a low resolution PDF-File I offer a free download of the broschure here:
Creative Monotypes - Free Download of tutorial
What is the ghost in monotype printing ?
Monotype print in progress
The image above shows the ghost of one of my monotype prints from the Piranesi Paraphrases. The first layer was the sky. In the next step I added in a blue wash the major forms and shadows of the building. Then I started to add details step by step in black and brown. One can see the traces of each step on the plate. So I can always see which areas I have worked on. The next image shows the unfinished print it corresponds with the state of the ghost image above.
It is possible to work out very fine details and to achieve a wide range of tonalities by manipulating the color in layers.
b> /> A Trace monotype - how to do it
About 5 years ago I did my first trace monotype. I had studied a catalog on the works of Paul Klee and had always admired Klee`s fine line drawings to which he added colors later.Only a short hint was given in the catalog,but I understood that Klee had made his own simple tracing paper so he would be able to multiply his drawings or transfer them to other papers.
He simply coated a sheet of paper with a thin layer of oil color. I used for this purpose greaseproof baking paper or transparent paper. The next step is a bit difficult,but with some exercise it is possible to place the oiled paper with the oilcolor-side on top of let say a water color paper.
One can draw with a ballpen or any other tool directly on the tracing paper or on a thin paper which is placed as third layer on top. Thus the tracing paper can be used several times as the drawing with the ballpen is visible only on the top layer (for example newsprint) and as trace on the lowest layer.
So in fact this type of a monotype is created by a simple tracing process. Some trials and experimenting is necessary to find the best compinations of papers and application for the oil color. I use now only a very small amount of oil color which I thin a bid with linseed oil. This layer will be reactive over hours. I like to mount these 3 paper sheets with adhesive tape on a plywood plate and go out to do plein air monotypes(sample below).
Printing a monotype print
Working step by step in layers - a short demonstration
The image on the left shows a montype print with the basic color shapes and tonalities. The oil color was painted with a brush on the glas plate. Each colour was added in a separate step. I left the print in that stage over night for some drying,because I wanted to add linear work in black color for the details and additional tonalities.I cleaned the glass plate so no ghost was left.
In order to find the right registration I traced the main forms on a ransparent paper which I put underneath the glassplate. Thus I could see where the position of the column and the other buildings were.
I started drawing the details of the column with an oilstick and worked through the whole image in numerous steps. At last I inserted the sitting figure.
A demonstration how Paul Klee did his trace monotype prints/drawings
Paul Klee, Le silence de l'ange
Un précieux voyage dans l'œuvre d'un architecte de la couleur, un peintre majeur du XXème siècle. L'œuvre de Paul Klee (1879 -- 1940) est immense : 9.000 pièces en marge de tous les courants artistiques de leur temps. En voir plus sur : http://www.vodeo.tv/18-22-2393-paul-klee-le-silence-de-l-ange.html?PARTID=9085
What is a monotype - video by Arthur Secunda
What is a Monotype
In this documentary, thoughtfully entitled "What is a Monotype," famous artist Arthur Secunda explains what a monotype is and shows you how they are made. For more information on Arthur Secunda please visit his website, www.arthursecunda.com
Runtime: 9:57
2735 views
7 Comments:
Blog posts on monotype prints and monotype printmaking
- The Grizzly Truth
- Again, I must say I am loving monotype printmaking. I enjoy the formal structure of this piece as much as I enjoy my intention for it. This print is (of course) a monotype print in just three layers. Not bad getting that kind of depth ...
- Monotype Workshop (Hill City, SD)
- Roger Broer, master in hand burnished monotype print making, conducts workshops from Alaska Native villages to fellow artists, schools, colleges, prisons, and museums throughout the United States. I try? Monotype: The Basics and Beyond ...
- More on monotype prints
- She has a great little guide on monotype printmaking method here. Many of her pieces are monotype + watercolor. The pictured work, Nimble Musician, is a 4 x 6 monotype print with colored pencil added. Here's some more linky love for [. ...
- I DON’T GET IT!
- Opportunity for intensive museum visits with your choice of watercolor monotype, sketching and/or journaling for one week (June 3 - 8), or focus on one or more weeks of concentrated monotype printmaking? Source: www.artshow.com ...
Monotype printmaking artists on the net and other resources
The art of monotype printing world wide !
Collectors of art works on paper watch out and browse through this list of monotype printmakers.
#1
Christiane Semar
Kristiane Semar is a German artist. She works in s more...1 point
#2
Sharon Finmark
Sharon Finmark is a London based artist. Her monot more...1 point
#3
Trace monotypes by J.A. Mills
A young artists Jessica Anne Mills shows fine trac more...1 point
#4
Phyllis Trout | Messineo Wyman Projects
An online gallery of works by Phyllis Trout, repre more...1 point
#5
P. C. Lawson Monotypes
Surprising monotype prints, complex as paintings w more...1 point
#6
Joan Hausrath, printmaker. Safer and non-toxic processes. Monotype prints.
Joan Hausrath has done a wonderful Series of black more...1 point
#7
Doris Mosler
Doris Mosler creates remarkable,decorative monoytp more...1 point
#8
http://www.shattuckgallery.com/monotypes.html
Carolyn Shattuck - develops intriguing tapestries more...1 point
#9
Joellyn Duesberry Studio
A collection of 48 marvellous landscape monotypes more...0 points
#10
Lynn Brofsky Fine Art and Design
The artist shows dynamic and surprising compositio more...0 points
#11
Tracey Leagjeld
Tracey Leagjeld`s work is another impressive demon more...0 points
#13
Welcome to The Monotype Guild Of New England
An interesting site with lots of information and a more...0 points
#14
Ron Pokrasso at Lynne Fine Art Gallery
I heard about Ron Pokrasso through Julia Ayres boo more...0 points
#15
Galerie Lavie
Monotypes from the exhibition "Le Voyage d'It more...0 points
#16
Rosina Kuhn, Paintings
fresh and bold compositions and a very painterly a more...0 points
#18
Monotype Artist Linda Batchelor, Northampton, Massachusetts
Linda Batchelor combines Monotype with collage. He more...0 points
#19
Julia and Gail Ayres
The website of Julia and Gail Ayres, dedicated mon more...0 points
#20
Akua Water-based Ink by Rostow & Jung -Newsletter
This links shows a list of the "Rostow & more...0 points
#21
Monoprints and Monotypes
Gives a very good general overview,together with s more...0 points
#22
Singular Impressions: Introduction
A website dedicated to the history of monotype pri more...0 points
The monotype poll
Monotype workshop search on ShawGuides
Even though monotype printing is something special there is an increasing number of artist who teach this techique. Perhaps you can find a suitable workshop here.
Some of my favorite books - here available by amazon
Magical Secrets About Thinking Creatively: The Art of Etching And the Truth of Life
This is the first book that I want to recommend even though it is not on monotyping,but on etching. This is one of the best books on art that I know. Kathan Brown explains 13 secrets that artist use to come to superior results in their field. These secrets are patterns of behaviour or strategies that that she observed over many years working with such outstanding artists like Diebenkorn, Thiebaud and others. Each secret is featured in one chapter and each chapter is dedicated to one artist.
Together with the book there comes a CD-room with videos, a lecture by Kathan Brown and interesting interviews with the artists.
There is also an interesting website
Don´t miss the monthly 3-minute eggs by Kathan Brown !!
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Amazon Price: (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $35.00
Used Price: $32.98
Alex Katz: Collages
Ths book contains 74 small paper collages made by the "master of flatness" Alex Katz, a great inspiration for printmakers. Katz did these little great pieces in his early career(1954) when he lived in Lincolnville,Maine. The first chapter is titled "The size is intimate,but the scale is vast", this is true in many aspects. Apart from the informative catalog text each piece is explained with a comprehensive description. Many of the collages are reproduced in or close to original size. I discovered this beautiful book in a local book store and took right away !
Release Date: 02/01/2006
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Monotype: Mediums and Methods for Painterly Printmaking
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Elizabeth Blackadder Prints
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How to Identify Prints, Second Edition
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Monotype and print related books
A Covenant of Seasons: Monotypes by Joellyn T. Duesberry, Poetry by Pattiann Rogers
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Monoprinting (Printmaking Handbooks (PH))
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Making Monotypes Using a Gelatin Plate
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Handmade Prints
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Henri Matisse: Traits Essentiels: Monotypes 1906-1952
Release Date: 03/01/2007
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New Amazon Recommendations - Monotype printing
If you loved Monotype/Monoprint: History and Techniques, you might also enjoy:
Fine Art Collecting Books
#1
Owning Art: The Contemporary Art Collector's Handbook by Louisa Buck
A very comprehensive up to date handbook with focu more...1 point
#3
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#5
Available original monotype prints
Decorative monotype prints for sale
50X70 centimeters (19,68"X27,55")printed area is 35X50 centimeter (13,77"X19,68"). If you want to know more about one of the pieces shown here please contact:
I have many other prints shown on my website at Edition Handdruck
Buy my monotype print art cards
Publications and reproduction prints by EDITION HANDDRUCK
Including a free download of monotype printmaking tutorial
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- Fine art prints of my work on ImageKind
- Drawing the urban landscape
- "Drawing the urban landscape"
Exploring the city with a sketchbook
Size/Format DIN A4(11"X 8,3"), 36 Pages, 47 black/white Images,7 printed over 2 pages,Essay in English by the author on 15 Pages Cover 300 g/m² glossy laminated, Inside 170 g/m², staple bound.
The booklet presents 47 drawings made between April 2006 and March 2007 for the exhibition project "Stadtlandschaft-Stuttgart". All drawings are documented at http://www.edition-handdruck.de/stuttgart/skizzen/skizzen.html
Price: $23,50.- plus $10.- airmail shipping to U.S. other destinations on request
Ordering per email to: e-post(at)edition-handdruck.de
Payment: advanced payment, PAYPAL is welcome
Decorative fine art prints by Edition Handdruck
fine art prints - reproductions and new creations
I Have a separated squiddoo lens to market my fine art decoration prints series.
I enjoy to develop decorative prints on basis of my original work. I use all my creative resiources from small colored sketches in a sketchbook to finished original monotype prints.
Piranesi Paraphrases
Monotype prints after Piranesi
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