trace monoprint

Turn your drawings into Trace Monoprints

trace monoprint / /

Do you work hard to make a drawing that you like? I do.

line drawing of a chair - good for trace monoprinting

One way to make your drawings live on is to use them to make trace monoprints. This is an easy low tech way of printmaking without a press.

Tea cup drawings turned into trace monotypes

I love taking a drawing and using it to make mixed media piece of artwork. I think the beauty of a line drawing is that  it let’s the artist’s hand show through.

ink dropper face drawing

I love when then energy of the moment is captured in a quick gesture drawing. For me it can take 20 or more drawings to get one that I like. But I don’t mind. I know that the whole time I am building my SEEing skills.

art sketchbook by linda germain

Drawing is about really seeing what is in front of you and then flattening that 3d image into a 2d drawing. I think that their can be  a lot of baggage and rules around what is a “good” drawing. That pains me.

doodle by linda germain

The whole, “I am good enough,” conversation can get in the way of fun and learning. One way to start believing that you are good enough is to look at what “good” drawings are on exhibit in the modern museums, look at some art history books and see what they call “good.”

collage by linda germain

Then find a famous artist who you admire and study her/him. Copy some of his/her drawings, as studies. That is what the old master’s did. Keep it fun!

simplified flower drawings by linda germain

Consider, joining the online class, Draw into Print – a weekend drawing and printmaking workshop.  Read the details on the workshop page here.

 

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Many ways to learn to Draw

drawings, trace monoprint / /

As I fine tune the drawing lessons for the new weekend workshop, I am seeing that there are as many ways to learn to draw as there are teachers and students.

drawing books to inspire printmaking

Some say learn to draw in 15 minutes and another 355 hours.

So what is the truth?

It depends:

  • What are your goals?
  • What style do you want to learn?
  • What is your reason to want to draw?
  • What experience or baggage do you bring to the class?

 

contour drawings and trace monoprint workshop

It helps to:

  • Focus on expanding your idea of drawing
  • Explore gesture and contour drawing
  • Building a drawing habit that will feed your printmaking for life

So I would say it probably takes more than 15 minutes to draw and hopefully less than 355 hours to start to make drawings that you like. The thing to do is to find the tools that support you and your unique expression through drawing and printing.

flower monoprint linda germain

The thing that takes so much time is:

  • Switching to the right/spatial side of the brain
  • Training yourself to LOOK at what you are drawing
  • Start to see what you like about your drawing and be less critical

If you would like to use your simplified drawings to make Trace Monotype Prints, then check out the details on the workshop page.

If you would like a simple tutorial to explore some contour line drawings, then sign up below.

GET the FREE drawing with Matisse Tutorial
Build your skills and confidence in your ability to draw

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

Many ways to learn to Draw Read More »

See draw print – new class

drawings, trace monoprint / /

Check out the details about this new weekend printing and drawing workshop.

line self portrait drawing linda germain

This may be just the printmaking class that you have been waiting for. We will be exploring expressive line drawing, drawing habits and trace monoprints.

GET the FREE drawing with Matisse Tutorial
Build your skills and confidence in your ability to draw

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

 

See draw print – new class Read More »

Trace monoprint on Fabric

trace monoprint / /
Trace monoprint on fabric with screen printing inks by Linda Germain
Trace monoprints on fabric

A fuzzy black line is the characteristic mark of a trace monoprint.

I love loose spontaneous drawings – scribbles with life. Today I played with my pile of gelatin prints on fabric by adding a trace monoprint on the top.

This is how I approached the printing process:

  • lightly and evenly spritz my fabric
  • roll out a thin layer of screen printing ink on a plexi glass plate
  • lightly place the fabric on the ink
  • scribble, sketch and draw quickly on the back side of the fabric
  • I used a pencil, the end of a brayer and a light quick touch

It is a trial and error process to figure out how much to spritz the fabric. Too wet means the lines will run and too dry then the ink may not transfer to the fabric.

Do a google image search for Paul Klee Monoprints for more inspiration. Then try it with your signature style. You can use this printmaking method on paper or fabric.

Enjoy!

See more trace monoprints in the gallery.

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