Monotype History, Process and Description

The origins of the monotype are difficult to pin point, although individual artists probably employed variations on the technique as early as the first intaglio prints of the fifteenth century.

The monotype is an intriguing hybrid among printmaking techniques. It is neither a print nor a painting but a unique combination of both.

Because this medium uses an etching press to transfer the image from a plate to a piece of paper, it is sometimes called a monoprint. There is, however, only one image created, making it an original work of art just like a painting on canvas or paper. The reason the image is transferred rather than painted directly on the paper itself is to allow the artist to use ink instead of paint as well as a variety of techniques that lend themselves to this print medium. The inks used by the artist are similar to oil paints in that they are of high quality dense pigmentation and are extremely light fast. These inks are varnish based designed specifically for printing on paper. They can be used opaque, transparent or in degrees of viscosity to create a wide range of effects not associated with any other medium. Brayers, Rollers, Brushes, Stencils, Collage can all be combined to create a seamless result. Any excess ink that is left on the surface is blotted off with newsprint, which speeds drying and leaves the paper smooth. After printing monotypes are routinely enriched by the artist in a wide variety of media (oil stick, oil pastel, Prisma color pencil, and alkyd paint) are used to elaborate and refine the artist intentions enhancing its original quality.

The Complete Printmaker, Ross Romano Ross. (Round Table Press)