Transform a coastal photograph into an atmospheric artwork by using this simple tracing technique. Words and photographs: Shore Cottage Studio
What do you do with all your photographs? If you have images that hold special memories of the coast – perhaps a seaside sunset from a romantic walk, a puppy splashing in waves for the first time, or a formally attired relative, with arms folded, at the end of a pier – it’s a shame to leave them hidden away on your hard drive or in the bottom of a drawer.
Here is something creative and different to do with your snaps – and which anyone can achieve. People will be amazed by your artistic skills, and all you do is trace. You will need to buy some equipment from your local craft store, but this small investment will pay off. Monoprinting is a way of forming an image on paper by transferring ink with the pressure of touch or an inscribed line or mark. It’s satisfying to roll out the ink on to a smooth surface (cheap child’s plastic placemats are ideal) and trace your image – all the time not knowing how it will turn out until the paper is peeled off.
Oil-based printing inks give the most professional results, but require white spirits to clean up, and will ruin clothes and soft furnishings if spilled or accidentally transferred. Therefore, it’s safer for the novice to use a water-based printing ink such as Seawhite of Brighton water-based block printing ink (seawhite.co.uk). This ink gives good results and will wash out of any fabrics or off surfaces with plain water.
WHAT YOU NEED
• A photograph you wish to reproduce
• Plain paper
• Water-based block printing ink from Seawhite of Brighton
• A printing roller
• A flat surface to roll ink on (a sheet of glass or plastic, or a child’s plastic placemat)
• A pencil
METHOD:
1. Reverse your photograph to make a mirror image, using your printing software if your picture is digital, or using a scanner or photocopier if it’s a paper photograph.
2. Ink up your smooth surface using a small amount of ink squeezed on to the surface and rolling in all directions. Make sure you have very thin, even coverage.
3. Put the reversed image on top of the blank paper. Hold the two sheets together and carefully lay on top of the inked surface without touching or smoothing down.
4. Trace over the image – ink will transfer wherever you press. Using a pencil will give hard sharp lines; your finger, meanwhile, will give soft lines and shading. Peel paper to reveal the image.
Click through our gallery below to see the monoprint in progress:
In search of more crafts? Try our step-by-step guides for making a coastal winter lantern and knitted journal cover, or keep an eye out for crafts in the magazine.
ABOUT SHORE COTTAGE STUDIO
Shore Cottage Studio consists of three generations of artists living and working on the Wirral Peninsula. They run short creative courses taking inspiration from their surroundings in fused glass, photography, textiles and laser-etching. They also exhibit their work and produce commissions. Oh, and there is usually cake. You can book a course or commission a piece on their website (shorecottagestudio.com).
