"Angel", detail, 2011, 12" x 16", monotype, Andrew Portwood

 OK, here are three more monotypes I'm pretty pleased with...working with the same three or four colors in a series. They will look nice matted and framed, maybe in a simple, un-adorned pewter or silver. This goes out to all of the angel's, Muse's, and other holiday spirits out there...you know who you are! I guess that I am destined to paint angel's and fairies and banshees the rest of my life... the real one's and the one's in my own head, ha ha. But that's the way it is when you are creating, you have to dig into your own psyche. sold

"Angel", 2011, image area: 12" x 16", monotype, Andrew Portwood

"Sisters", 2011, 12" x 16", monotype, Andrew Portwood

"Harlequin Horse", Detail, 2011, 12" x 16", monotype, Andrew Portwood

"Harlequin Horse", 2011, 12" x 16",monotype, Andrew Portwood Artist

"Sunshine", 2011, 8" x 8", monotype, Andrew Portwood

Sunshine, 2011, 8" x 8", monotype, Andrew Portwood copyright 2011, Sold

This is another little 8" x 8" square monotype in oil, very loose, quick painting. I have just pulled 4 new 12" x 16" monotype's in oil that I will post...I have been trying out different paper types for these: Arches hotpress, and Rives etching paper, as well as Strathmore drawing paper. I really like the Arches 90 lb. paper. Have not gotten around to the larger 18"x 24"...working my way up to that

"Red Spanish Horse", 8" x 8", monotype, Andrew Portwood 2011

Red Spanish Horse, 2011, 8" x 8", monotype, Andrew Portwood copyright 2011, Sold

This one is my favorite so far. I think I am ready to start working at a larger size..maybe try 18" x 24" format...stay tuned for the results, I'll post when I pull a larger print. Remember, I'm experimenting with this process, so I'm learning as I go along(which IS exhilarating) and, part of the challenge I think, with a larger format, will be the transfer of paint onto the paper ( I have no press, only a hand burnishing process). So...I found this really sturdy mailing tube in my studio that I was saving...for mailing, but I think I will employ it as a large "roller" and attempt to transfer the paint(image) like a giant rolling pin with the right amount of careful pressure, like a real press. We'll see...

"Mr. Green", 8" x 8", monotype, Andrew Portwood 2011

Mr. Green, 2011, 8" x 8", monotype, Andrew Portwood copyright 2011, Sold

"Red horse Blue horse, 12" x 16", monotype embellished with pastel, Andrew Portwood 2011

"Rose", 10" x 13", monotype, Andrew Portwood 2011

Rose, 10" x 13", monotype on paper, copyright Andrew Portwood 2011

Black Horse, ghost impression 1, 11" x 14", monotype, Sold

Black Horse, ghost impression 1, 2011, 11" x 14", monotype , Sold

Here is another monotype, this one measures 11" x 14", and it is the second impression (called " the ghost" impression) pulled from the plate. I'm doing all of these with oil paint and using a piece of glass as the"plate". And, I don't have a press, so I am hand burnishing the paper onto the inked glass plate. I'm doing about one or two a day and pleased so far, I'm still experimenting with this process, which is challenging and fun. They have a simple, clean graphic quality and you can see the character of brushstroke in the impression, which is interesting..and there is always that element of surprise when you finally lift the print off of the plate. The next step is to embellish with a little pastel. One of my favorite artists and influences is the master Edgar Degas. His monotypes are amazing and inspiring! I'm going to check into accessing an etching press for a day, that way, the ink (or in this case oil paint) will ideally saturate into the recesses of the paper.