Intaglio

Intaglio is when ink is transferred from the marks that were created within the surface of a matrix. It is the beautiful process of creating lines. Each stroke that is placed into the matrix is like a finger print. As it forms a detailed network of lines, it gives birth to not just an image but it depicts your own personal uniqueness. Ten people could create work from the same image but each piece could turn out totally different. Although there are several different intaglio processes, I use a physical one called drypoint.

Relief

Relief in many cases is the opposite of intaglio. The marks you make become negative spaces, while the raised surfaces become the part that gets inked and transferred onto the paper. Relief is build up by layers. It can have as little as two layers or as large as ten or more. After laying your background, a layer is carved and then placed over the former layer. I used a shot glass to burnish the ink into the paper from the matrix, but there are many items that can be used for this part of the process like a spoon. This printmaking process focuses on color and shape of texture.

Monotypes

Monotypes are the process of creating prints that are a one off. They are not to be confused with monoprints, which are prints that still use the same matrix but have different variations between them like color. Monotypes are truly a one of a kind. Although there once again many different techniques to creating monotypes, I created mine through using a piece of paper and a plastic sheet to transfer the ink. I would use Speedball ink to make marks on the plastic sheet and then bring the piece of paper down and transferred to the paper. I could only do a few strokes at a timeI since Speedball drys quickly. I also used a Akua ink, which unlike speedball does not dry quickly. With this ink, I created the entire picture on the plastic sheet and then put it through the press with a piece of paper.