Thinking colour in monotype

The first thing to say is that this image isn't really accurate in terms of colour, the original being more subtle with richer oranges and not so much red. I need to calibrate/profile things better between camera, monitor and printer,  but I don't want to invest in any more equipment until I am happy with the images I'm making...

The next thing to say is that this is that Akua Itaglio Ink and it just doesn't hold the line as well as oil based ink, so far.  I used a zinc plate whihc does seem to help and I think I'm beginning to use the pigment better, but I had more detail in the face and during printing it smudged.  I rolled the release agent over the top, pre-printing as I worried that the ink might have dried too much for spoon printing. Rolling a film of relase agent makes me nervous and it did throw up a few specks of random colour so I added a few finishing touches after, perhaps that contributed to the smudge problem.

Clearing Snow

Having used the pure pigment of gouache, these Akua intaglio inks are a bit pale by comparison, but I thought they might be able to approximate snow light in their own way, so I moved aside the oils and began.  Even though I find making monotypes so arduous at the start, as I begin to finish there is usually a sense of wonder and delight.  They take time, focus and luck. I love rubbing the paper with the wooden spoon , lifting up the corner and seeing what it all means in reverse etc...