Gulls, surf and monoprints - a process

 

Process for some new monoprints   surf and gulls   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Using the sketches from my circular sketchbook as a jumping point I spent a rather fun day making some monoprints. Not everything worked - and that is good as it means lessons are being learnt - but some did. So not only do I have some new prints for the Folksy store but I also have a pile of 'not quite there yet' prints to work into in mixed media which I am just as excited about. I am particularly excited about the prints made in the second pass with the circular mask removed. The resulting subtlety of the circular motif is something I think I can manipulate further.

Below are some of the pairs of initial prints with their second pass partners - I really like the second pass for the different sketchy marks and where there wasn't enough ink to transfer as I think it suits the subject in this case. I have lots more ideas to play with that will keep me busy.

 

Process for some new monoprints   surf and gulls   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Process for some new monoprints   surf and gulls   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Some of my gull series are available at RedBubble in their different reproduction print formats. As framed prints which style of framing do you prefer?

Surf Spray Gull series   available at RedBubble  ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

A gentle tide - monoprint

 

A Gentle Tide   monoprint 9.5x9.5cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Ohhhh I do love monoprinting! It is such an immediate and responsive way to work and generate ideas. I love the diffused tones that can be achieved....drawing with ink .....the suggestive marks...the messiness of it all (at least when I do it).

This is one of my favourite ones from a recent monoprinting session. It has the movement of the tide that I was aiming for. It is available here in my Folksy store.

New Coastal Monoprints

 

Winter Moon   monoprint 12.5x12.5cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

More monoprints from recent printing sessions....

 Moonshine   monoprint 12.5x12.5cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

A collection are available in my Folksy store.

Dusk Deepened - collagraph and mixed media

 

Dusk Deepened I - IV   Mixed media and Collagraph  12.5x12.5cm ©2025

Using the same printing plate I have made four images, each different, by working further with acrylic and printing ink. Much like a view changing with progressing light, in each image I have tried to capture a progressing moment - like a burst shot by a camera. I am fascinated by the way the same view from the same position is never the same because of the changing light through weather and season, a kind of homage to Monet's Rouen Cathedral, haystacks and lily ponds in a way. I have been looking and appreciating their multiple variations lately. The first in the set of four is available in my Folksy Store.

Dusk Deepened I   collagraph and mixed media 12.5x12.5cm   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Smuggler's Moon - print and mixed media

 

Smuggler's Moon  print and mixed media 12.5x12.5cm   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec 

One of the prints made and rejected from the previous post was too dark and over inked so I used the print as the plate and ran it through the press with paper over (like tonking an oil painting in a way). This resulted in a reversed image with some pleasing subtleties of texture. I worked into it whilst still wet which gave a much softer and hazier finish. Once dried I could add a moon for a feeling of the winter nights to come. 

Available in my Folksy Store.

Gathering I - III collagraph and mixed media

 

Gathering I - III   collagraph and mixed media   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Small changes in the inking of one collagraph plate, a progression of light in one view with mixed media. I am enjoying working without colour for a while....I feel that I don't need the distraction but I wonder if that will change....

These are available at Folksy

Broken but still Beautiful - framed and unframed prints

 

Prints framed and unframed available at lisalequelenec.redbubble.com  ©2025

I have finally ticked off my to do list putting some of the drawings from last years project available as prints from RedBubble. Go me it has only taken nearly a year! There is a choice of mountings and frames to choose from I rather liked the reverse black on white for a change.

Broken But Still Beautiful I - mixed media drawing

 

Broken But Still Beautiful I   mixed media drawing 30x21cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

The end of 2023 passed - I'm not sure where or how - and here we are already the 11th! Armed with new plans for work and hopefully more self discipline blog-wise than I have shown last year I will be here more regularly.

To begin the year a resolution to myself to make more time for drawing. Drawing is another area that I have neglected recently and should be one of the first signs to myself that things are going askew. Life is much better with drawing in it. The act of slowing down and looking is undervalued I think. I am a little rusty but have made a start.

I plan to make one drawing each month this year on the theme of 'Broken But Still Beautiful'. (There may be more than 12 but I want at least 12 by the end of the year.) To start off the project this beautiful whelk shell that I picked up in Norfolk last summer. I have a lovely collection of broken whelks and the project may well be a series from these resources. I obsess over the beautiful internal twisting wave-like spiral of the columella. Even the sound of the word 'columella' I find beautiful. When I look at broken whelks I see a Barbara Hepworth or Henry Moore sculpture - a reclining figure - large scale and monumental. I have no end in mind for these drawings except to enjoy the process and get lost in the shapes, contours and textures. Lets see how I get on....