Experimentation: Mono-Printing

I have experimented with mono-printing further by using my primary images of chairs and children's toys to create different compositions and designs for my children's illustration. I am really drawn to mono-printing as the effect and presentation that it has links to the theme (depression) of my children's book very successfully.

Most Successful

I think that the last mono-print is the most successful as it represents the theme (depression, loneliness) and it relates to the target audience (children and parents). The simple chair and teddy bear composition is very effective and not too ''in-your-face''. I like the effect that the mono-printing has given it and the roughness around the teddy bear which creates a very gritty look to it.

My mono-prints have improved a vast amount since the first time I started experimenting with them last month. To improve them further I am going to re-create the most successful mono-print and add text; I will be doing this in the style of Edward Gorey.

Primary Images: Chairs

These are the primary images of chairs which I have taken to experiment and create my children's illustrations further. I have taken photos of a range of chairs to experiment with the types of chairs and which type of chair would work best in the final illustration.

Experimentation: Mono-Printing

Linking to my last blog post which was also of mono-prints, these mono-prints I have improved and experimented with different compositions. I have done this as I was not happy with how my previous mono-prints had come out and I wanted to improve them. I experimented with different compositions as I wanted to see which one would look best as my final layout. 

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1) The initial drawing of experimentation with compositions.

2) I think that these mono-prints are successful but would be more successful if they were shown the correct way (i.e the letters are backwards). I didn't take into account that the drawing would flip when creating a mono-print.

3) I feel as though this mono-print is the most successful mono-print so far as I had took into account that the image would flip, and the lines are very sharp and gritty. The black smudges around the bear give it a very rough-look which is what I like about it - It adds to the depressing effect of it.

4) With this mono-print, I experimented with twisting the paper on the ink with my hand before lifting it to give it more of a rough, gritty effect. Unfortunately it did not come out the way I had hoped as it doesn't look rough enough.

5) I tried to experiment with another technique with the mono-print, which was placing it of the floor and rubbing it onto the surface of the floor. I had hoped that this would give it a scratchy effect, but unfortunately this did not work either, it only made the mono-print look unsuccessful and dirty.

I enjoy the effect that mono-printing gives and I think that it adds to the depressing, rough, gritty look that I want to achieve with my illustrations which is why I am going to continue experimenting and improving my skills of mono-printing to create a successful outcome for my final piece.