Impressions of Nature - Monoprinting Nature Journal Project
Materials links, Booklets and more about the project
Here are the step by step downloads, online Tutorial and list of materials below, with product links on Amazon. I hope you find them useful as a starting point, but please dont hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or queries.
Materials for Monoprinting
Here is a list of Materials with links to products on Amazon as starting point.
Inks – I am using Cranfield – Caligo Safe wash ink (either etching or relief ink I use both)
Black https://amzn.to/45YWET7
White https://amzn.to/408IAVC
Yellow Ochre https://amzn.to/45DFUAw
Process Red Magenta https://amzn.to/3N6Fa0n
Process Yellow https://amzn.to/3R2vvJn
Process Blue Cyan https://amzn.to/3Rql1F0
Burnt Sienna https://amzn.to/495QYt2
Essdee metallic inks https://amzn.to/4843V5v
you can also use Akua https://amzn.to/3s44UDf
Set of inks https://amzn.to/3Fsy8ij
Or Speedball https://amzn.to/470aoO1
or Scola ink https://amzn.to/4741eQC
You can use traditional oil based inks or oil paints and acrylics at a push if its all you have but you don’t get the detail and if you are working with children poster paints do work.
For Fabric Printing Speedball Fabric printing ink Black https://amzn.to/408pAqa , White https://amzn.to/3MeS24d or a set of 6 https://amzn.to/3FtNqmN
Surface A smooth non-porous – I am using a sheet of glass but it can be a piece of Perspex or a laminated sheet. Or these monoprinting sheets https://amzn.to/3FqBEd3
Roller/Brayer I like the black Essdee roller https://amzn.to/3FO8zbL
Or this one https://amzn.to/45Llm9l
And for a soft fabric roller I use this one https://amzn.to/3Q7xonB but you can use other types of printmaking rollers or a household sponge roller if that’s all you have (or with children) but there will be a reduction in detail.
Paper I am using cartridge paper 220 gsm white this one is similar https://amzn.to/46yZr6p or Black https://amzn.to/3tQdFRI
but you can use any smooth textured paper which is not too thick (220 gsm or less) printer paper is fine to start with.
Cloth or wet wipes – to keep clean
Something to print with, leaves flowers etc.
Decorations wooden disks https://amzn.to/49YB8Ru
You can buy the inks from Jacksons Here and and the Roller are HERE you will receive a 10% discount if you are a new customer
More about the Impressions of Nature project
The process of taking prints from plants has been used by botanists as far back as the 1700s. However for us it began as a collaborative project in 2002 casting and printing objects found on our smallholding. It was a wonderful way of documenting and celebrating our time in that particular environment. We were fascinated by this intricate details of plants and leaves which tend to go unnoticed.
Using an extensive range of printmaking and casting processes we became obsessed with transforming natural objects into precious art objects. We researched poetry, folklore and symbolism which emphasised the greater meaning and intrinsic importance of natural history and relationship with humans. In 2022 I decided to commit to a year long nature journal making prints of the plants around my home and gathering research about them. They have become part of an ongoing publication which I hope to realise in 2024.
Nature Journaling has been a vital part of my life in recent years helping me to connect with the natural environment and celebrate the ever changing seasons, bringing it back to treasured moments examining a leaf structure or days wandering in a woodland. It has also focused my engagement with the natural world and encouraged me to look closer and learn more about the individual plants that I find.
When gathering plant material it is always vital to do so responsibly most of my flowers and foliage are collected from own garden and usually when their flowering period is coming to an end. If you would like to try this further information on responsible foraging can be found HERE Wildfood UK and HERE Woodland Trust
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