Monoprinting

If your teen likes the word "spontaneous" and is not afraid to get a little messy then monoprinting is a definite must do. Monoprinting, also known as "printed painting," creates one of a kind prints by combining drawing, painting and printmaking techniques. The monoprinting process teaches your teen to think about painting in a new way by introducing them to the subtractive and additive methods of applying paint. Pastels, chalk or watercolor can be added to the dry print enabling your teen to explore mixed media for hours. Have your teen collect house hold items such as rags, q-tips, old brushes, pencils and combs to wipe away the paint away or add it back on and get started now.

What You Need:

Plexiglas cut into a 16 x 20 piece sanded on the edge to remove sharp edges

Acrylic paint

2 brayer rollers

11 x 17 quality art paper

Masking Tape

Paper towels

Old acrylic paint brushes, cosmetic brushes

Q-tips, cotton balls, makeup sponges

Combs, plastic forks, plastic knives

Pencil with new erasers

Rags, sponges

Pastels, chalk or watercolors

Old clothes or a painting shirt

What You Do:

In the center of the Plexiglass have your teen tape off a 10 x 16 square using masking tape. This will define the painting area.

Have your teen choose a color of acrylic paint and roll a thin layer onto the Plexiglas with a brayer roller. The layer does not have to be perfectly coated because irregularity in the rolling creates interesting effects. The first time have your teen choose just use one color. Different colors can be added once they understand how the process works.

On the surface of the painted layer have your teen use found objects like combs and sponges to make textures. Instruct them to use Q-tips, pencil eraser and other objects to draw on the painted surface and old paint or cosmetic brushes to create a brushed effect.

Have your teen keep in mind the design or image is created in reverse. This is known as the subtractive method. Have them think of the paint as the background. The design or object needs to be removed from the surface.

Explain to your student that paint can be added to the surface with a brush in areas where the paint has been removed. This is the additive process.

Have your student use both processes to build up a design or create an object. Instruct them to use paper towels to keep the brushes and objects free of paint so their tools remove paint more effectively.

Remind your teen that acrylic paint dries fast so they will need to work quickly.

Once the painting is finished help your teen place a piece of 17 x 11 art paper on top of the design. Roll it with a clean brayer roller. Instruct them to roll the brayer on the back of the art paper horizontally and then vertically covering the whole paper. Help them to remove the paper carefully and lay it flat to dry.

Encourage your teen to go through the process several times making numerous prints. This builds confidence and gives your teen plenty of monoprints to experiment with. Have them use chalk, pastels and watercolor to enhance the designs.

Explain to your teen that the Plexiglas does not have to be cleaned in-between the prints. A new coat of paint will cover the design. Any design that shows through will just add more texture to the print.

Teach your teen proper care of brushes by instructing them to use warm water and a little soap to clean the brushes and objects. Emphasize that clean up is simple but needs to be done right away so the paint won't dry in the brushes and ruin them. Have them use warm water to rinse the Plexiglas.

Monoprinting is very versatile. It is an activity your teen will want to do over and over again, building on their skills.

The monoprinting process was perfected by Edward Degas in the 1860's. He used both the additive and subtractive method working on a printer's plate. Color was added then wiped away until he was satisfied with his painting. Once the print was made on good quality paper, Degas used pastels to finish his work.