Techniques for Illustrators: Monoprinting at Home
Design one-of-a-kind monoprints and experiment with simple printmaking techniques that bring your art portfolio to life.
Duration
6 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Techniques for Illustrators: Monoprinting at Home
Flex your drawing and art skills with monoprinting basics
Monoprinting offers a world of creativity and innovation for illustrators. On this flexible learning course from Leeds Art University, gain practical printmaking techniques that you can apply in real time to your art portfolio.
From the comfort of your home studio, you’ll explore sketching, develop your linework, and learn to create textured, one-of-a-kind prints using simple materials.
By the end of the course, you’ll have refined your skills in monoprinting, ready to elevate your artistic practice.
Delve into sketchbooking
You’ll begin this course with a place most illustrators start: the sketchbook. You’ll learn to utilise this stage for exploring ideas, experimenting with different techniques, and laying the foundation for your monoprinting journey.
Learn the art of linework
Then, you’ll explore the principles of creating basic monotype prints, delving into the drawing tools and techniques to bring your lines to life. You’ll also practice adding tone and texture, enhancing your prints with depth and visual interest.
Perfect your printmaking
During the final weeks, you’ll refine your monoprinting techniques. You’ll be guided through printing from the plate, using acrylic and household materials to create texture and depth in your prints.
As you experiment with stencils and cardboard, you’ll learn to mask off areas and create bold, graphic shapes, as well as repurpose household items like cereal boxes and milk cartons to create unique printing plates.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introductions and getting started
Welcome to the course
Get familiar with the course content, your course creator (Jonny) and what you'll be doing in your first week!
Sketchbook Experimentation
Before you begin printing, you'll need to prepare some illustrations for inspiration. This activity is about getting you ready for printing techniques throughout the course!
End of week 1
Time to celebrate your first week of learning by reflecting and sharing what you've achieved with your fellow learners.
Week 2
Monoprinting
Welcome to Week 2
A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.
Monoprints
Time to get hands on and learn how to use your ink, plate and roller to make monoprints! We'll start with getting to grips with basic mark making techniques before creating designs based on your sketchbook and chosen theme.
End of Week 2
Time to celebrate and reflect on what you've done in week 2 by sharing your experience with other learners.
Week 3
Adding Tone and Shade
Welcome to week 3
A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.
Print Techniques
Let's build on your skill set by adding shade and tone to your prints. This is a great way of adding a new dimension to your designs, allowing you to add more detail to represent sketches from your chosen theme.
End of week 3
A quick look back on what we've learned this week and how your printmaking techniques are evolving as part of the course. As well as a look at what's coming up in week 4.
Week 4
Creating a Printing Plate
Welcome to Week 4
A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.
Printing Plates
This time, instead of making marks on to the paper, we remove ink from the plate to create our designs.
End of Week 4
A quick look back on what we've learned this week and how your printmaking techniques are evolving as part of the course. As well as a look at what's coming up in week 5.
Week 5
Printing with Stencils
Welcome to week 5
A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.
Stencils
This time we're looking at using stencils to create our prints. Stencils can be used to create both positive and negative space with the ink, giving you two possible variations for your design.
End of week 5
A quick look back on what we've learned this week and how your printmaking techniques are evolving as part of the course. As well as a look at what's coming up in week 6.
Week 6
Custom Print Plates
Welcome to week 6
A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.
Making and using a custom printing plate
This technique re-introduces the idea of a printing plate, only this time you create a custom shape, rather than using your acrylic sheet.
End of the course
A quick look back on what we've learned this week and celebrating the end of you learning with this course on monoprinting.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the fundamental principles of monoprinting
- Explore how printmaking technique differs from other forms of printmaking
- Practice monoprinting using simple, accessible materials at home
- Develop skills to design and cut stencils, experiment with ink application, and use various drawing tools
- Contribute to your drawing and design abilities by incorporating monoprint techniques into your creative practice
Who is the course for?
This online art course is designed for aspiring illustrators, art enthusiasts, and hobbyists eager to explore the creative techniques of monoprinting.
Whether you’re a beginner eager to flex your art skills or an experienced creator seeking new approaches to visual storytelling, this online art class offers inspiration and guidance to unlock your creative potential.
What software or tools do you need?
- A4 piece of Acrylic
- Loose pieces of A4 Paper
- A sketchbook (Aim for A5/A4)
- Rubber roller
- Block printing Ink
- Regular Drawing tools (Pencil, pens)
- Mark-making materials (e.g. scourer, sponge or toothbrush)
- Craft Knife / Scissors
Most of these items can be found online or in your local arts and crafts store
Who will you learn with?
Who developed the course?
Leeds Arts University
Leeds Arts University is the only specialist arts university in the North of England.
Established
1846Location
Leeds
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Join with limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $79/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Try this course - with limits | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 6 weeks |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$79/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Join with limited access
Free
Try this course - with limits
- Limited to 6 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 2 June 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 2 June 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
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