Lesson Reflection
Printmaking is the art of transferring impressions, patterns, textures, and shapes from one object onto the surface of another.
Students are often introduced to printmaking with simple techniques such foam relief printing or collagraph printing. Hand prints (burnished by rubbing) are an easy way to incorporate the process in an elementary classroom lesson. A relief print refers to inking the highest surface of the plate using a roller to roll the ink on. Students inscribed a linear pattern of repeated shapes or lines onto a recycled foam tray to create a recessed area which will appear as the areas without ink. The drawings were inspired by our discussion of line and shape as related to the work of Tara Donovan. In her prints, she takes one shape or line and repeats it many times to create an interesting composition. Students first created sketches on paper and then transferred their best design onto the foam. The printing days were full of enthusiasm and productivity as students pulled their relief prints. I was very impressed by their level of craftsmanship and pride in their artwork! One print was required for the final artwork but many students produced multiple prints. Our last day together was spent talking about our final group artwork--the mandala. We discussed historical and cultural examples of mandalas and the intentions behind their creation. We related this idea back to our own mandala as students contributed one print and intention for the final collaborative artwork. The message of environmental stewardship will hopefully inspire many questions in all those who see pass by.
Click a photo to enlarge.
Printmaking is the art of transferring impressions, patterns, textures, and shapes from one object onto the surface of another.
Students are often introduced to printmaking with simple techniques such foam relief printing or collagraph printing. Hand prints (burnished by rubbing) are an easy way to incorporate the process in an elementary classroom lesson. A relief print refers to inking the highest surface of the plate using a roller to roll the ink on. Students inscribed a linear pattern of repeated shapes or lines onto a recycled foam tray to create a recessed area which will appear as the areas without ink. The drawings were inspired by our discussion of line and shape as related to the work of Tara Donovan. In her prints, she takes one shape or line and repeats it many times to create an interesting composition. Students first created sketches on paper and then transferred their best design onto the foam. The printing days were full of enthusiasm and productivity as students pulled their relief prints. I was very impressed by their level of craftsmanship and pride in their artwork! One print was required for the final artwork but many students produced multiple prints. Our last day together was spent talking about our final group artwork--the mandala. We discussed historical and cultural examples of mandalas and the intentions behind their creation. We related this idea back to our own mandala as students contributed one print and intention for the final collaborative artwork. The message of environmental stewardship will hopefully inspire many questions in all those who see pass by.
Click a photo to enlarge.