Triptych and diptych – working with multiple plates toward a single image
Surfacing 14 30×46 inches
A plate, or more than one plate, can be printed several times on the same paper to produce a triptych (3 panel image) or diptychs ( 2 panels). The resulting image becomes somewhat narrative suggesting a shift in view or a progression of time. Some of these pieces are large for monotypes (though certainly not the largest) ranging from 24×40 inches to 30 x45. Usually I work on a panel a day, keeping the paper damp between printing. The most difficult things are to register (align) the image panels on the paper and to control the very large piece of paper while lining it up.
See the goldfish and koi, large scale page for more images.
About Monotypes
This technique is highly versatile. The materials, the tools available to apply them and the techniques to transfer to paper create a long list.
Water color, oil paints, blockprint, etching and litho inks are a few of the materials that can be used to paint a monotype. Brushes, rollers, dabbers, palette knives and cloth begin the list of potentials tools to apply and remove the paint from the plate. An etching press or a number of hand tools can be used to transfer the painting to paper.
The piece below, Full Moon Rising, was painted with oil etching inks applied to the plate with rollers, brushes and finger tips. The moon was created with a drop of paint thinner and a rag removing the lavendar in that spot to allow the white of the paper to be the moon. All of the white shapes in my work are where the paint is removed and the paper allowed to show.
Click on any thumbnail on this site to see a larger image.
