Monotypes

Activity Guide by Molly Skouson, VISTA service member
Grinnell College Museum of Art

What is a monotype?

A monotype is a kind of print, which means that instead of drawing directly onto a piece of paper, you create artwork on a different surface and then press paper onto the surface to transfer the artwork. Usually, you can make many copies of a print; monotypes are different because you can only make one copy. Here are some examples of monotypes:

Two monotypes by Fay Stanford — Two monotypes by **Fay Stanford ’72**. Left: *Exotic*, 2016, 13 x 10 inches. Right: *Trophies*, 2016, 10 x 13 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

About Fay Stanford

Fay Stanford graduated from Grinnell College in 1972 and now lives in suburban Philadelphia. She is a storyteller using the events in her own life as a template, which range from hanging laundry on a sunny day to watching her parents age and die. She volunteers in a wildlife rehab clinic and swims in the local public pool. These everyday adventures are all grist for her mill.

Here are two other examples of monotypes by Philip Bennet ’51 and New York-based artist Carrie Moyer.

Monotypes by Philip Bennet and Carrie Moyer — Left: Philip Bennet ’51 (1930-2016), *Diffusion*, 2012. Monotype on paper, 14 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. Grinnell College Museum of Art Collection. Gift of the artist. Right: Carrie Moyer (b. 1960), *Untitled*, 2019. Lithograph with monotype and screen print on paper, 30 x 21 1/2 inches. Grinnell College Museum of Art Collection. Purchased. Images © the artists.

Step 1: Paint

Paint (or draw with markers) on a smooth surface, like aluminum foil, plastic wrap, an empty cereal box, or a glass baking pan. Don’t paint too slowly or the paint will dry before the next step.

Watercolor painting of a face on plastic wrap

Step 2: Press

Lay a sheet of paper on top of your drawing and gently press it with a spoon, a yogurt cup, or your hand so the paint soaks into the paper.

Using a spoon to press paper onto plastic wrap

Lift up the paper to reveal your monotype!

More ideas

Make a second copy (called a “ghost print”) of a painting.

Add details and patterns to your monotype with a pencil or pen like Fay Stanford does.

Experiment with grass and leaves or other objects to create different textures in the paint.

A monotype of grass and a monotype of leaves

Layer more than one painting on the same piece of paper.
Draw back into your print with markers or colored pencils to accentuate details.

Monotypes of leaves in black and white and in color

Write

Write about your monotype! You could write a poem, a song, or story about your monotype. What words can you use to describe the colors, textures, shapes, and mood of your artwork?

More information

Printmaking (Museum of Modern Art)

Fay Stanford’s website

YouTube video about Fay Stanford

Web support:
Daniel Strong
Associate Director and Curator of Exhibitions
Grinnell College Museum of Art
and
Rick Johnson
Student Assistant
Grinnell College Museum of Art