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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.

Array of plant-inspired monoprints created using different techniques

Techniques for Illustrators: Monoprinting at Home

  • 6 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    6 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

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

    • Collection of black and white monoprints

      Welcome to the course

      Get familiar with the course content, your course creator (Jonny) and what you'll be doing in your first week!

    • Closed sketchbook with "plants" written on the cover

      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!

    • Open sketchbook showing simple line drawings relating to plants

      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

    • Block ink being applied to an acrylic plate with a roller

      Welcome to Week 2

      A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.

    • Lines drawn on paper as part of monotype print making

      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.

    • Tutor holding up a monotype print example

      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

    • Printmaking tools: Ink, Roller, Plate and mark making instruments in a pencil case

      Welcome to week 3

      A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.

    • Pencil being used to add crosshatching and stipples to prints

      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.

    • Holding up a line-based floral monoprint with tonal parts added

      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

    • Printmaking tools: Ink, Roller, Plate and mark making instruments in a pencil case, plus a scourer

      Welcome to Week 4

      A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.

    • Creating reliefs in block ink to create a printing plate

      Printing Plates

      This time, instead of making marks on to the paper, we remove ink from the plate to create our designs.

    • Holding up a line-based floral monoprint created using a printing plate

      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

    • Printmaking tools: Ink, Roller, Plate, and cutting instruments

      Welcome to week 5

      A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.

    • Example of using a paper stencil when monoprinting to block out ink transfer

      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.

    • Holding up a floral monoprint created using a stencil

      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

    • Printmaking tools: Ink, roller, scrap cardboard, mark making and cutting instruments in a pencil case, scourer.

      Welcome to week 6

      A brief look at the week ahead and the tools you'll need.

    • Rolling ink on to a custom printing plate shaped like flowers

      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.

    • Floral monoprint created using a custom printing plate

      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 Logo

Leeds Arts University

Leeds Arts University is the only specialist arts university in the North of England.

  • Established

    1846
  • Location

    Leeds

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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

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 7 Apr 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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