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What exactly is a monoprint?

A monoprint, or monotype, is an original, one-of-a-kind painting. A monoprint cannot be editioned. It's made by applying paint to a plexiglass plate. The artist then places a piece of paper over the plate and creates the painting either by hand rubbing or by putting paper and plate through an etching press. The pressure of the press on the paper causes the paper to be embossed. This is often the only way to distinguish a monoprint from a painting on paper.

If there is enough paint left on the plate, another print can be made (called a "ghost"). The ghost will have variations from the original print so no two prints are ever alike.

According to www.monoprints.com, there is a difference between monoprint and monotype. Monotypes are one copy only. The plate is cleaned after each impression. Monoprints are also one-of-a-king paintings, but have some pattern or image that is repeated in a number of prints. The plate isn't cleaned between impressions. An artist might use cut-out paper or plants to add texture and then move them around or re-ink the plate. By painting over previous images, pieces and colors from previous impressions often come through, adding layers and texture to a print.

The paint used in monoprints — oil or water based — can be applied in a variety of ways (i.e., brush, palette knife, tools, sticks, cotten swabs, fabric). Whether realistic or abstract, monoprints have the range and variety of paintings, with additional variables such as paper quality and texture, method of application, wet or dry paper or pressure of the press.

From the 17th century to present day, artists such as Blake, Rembrandt, Degas, Picasso, Miro, Matisse and Diebenkorn have expressed themselves through monoprints.

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