Elementary School art - Drypoint and wet media application

 drypoint hand-coloured with watercolour

the Sleeping Giant

nightmarish landscape

urban landscape

 aquatic landscape

 I recently worked with a grade six class and the first of two print based projects we undertook was creating images from acrylic plates using a method known simply as drypoint. To further enhance the prints watercolour was added after the ink used for the prints was allowed to dry. The best way to introduce any technique is to give an actual hands on demo. I also give students tiny sample pieces of plates and blocks. This way they become familiar with the tools and surface ahead of progressing to the main project. We also usually take some time to discuss the project and break potential subject matter for studies into the form of sub-categories from a chosen theme.

Step #1 - drawing 

Students drew a rough sketch on paper to the plate size. Because the thin acrylic plates are clear the sketch can be set underneath and used as a guide for scoring line into the plastic surface using an etching needle.

sketch and plate secured over top using pieces of masking tape

Students were given a preliminary lesson first on drawing techniques and composition. I demonstrate a few ways to incorporate textural elements to their plates including spacing of linear elements, stipple, cross-hatch, lightly roughing the surface with sand paper. The idea was first to produce line of different weight and depth into the plate. This would translate as thin light or heavy dark when ink was applied and the plate was printed. The same would apply for texture depending on the amount of texture added. 

Step #2 - scoring the plate using the sketch as the guide

scoring the surface by scratching with a sharp needle point.

The tools were constructed by drilling a small hole into the end of a 1/4 inch wood dowel. I then inserted a stainless steel darning needle (a bit of masking tape was wrapped around the end to stabilize the needle.)

this technique requires patience and frequent rest breaks from the scratching process

setting a piece of dark paper between the sketch and the plate 

helps to reveal what has been scratched into the plate surface.

Step #3 - application of ink and printing

For this project vegetable based Akua intaglio inks were used. These are non-toxic and stay workable and open like traditional oil but without the odor. But the real bonus is that they clean up easily with detergent and warm water.

Students apply the ink using old used soft bristle toothbrushes to get the ink down into the lower recessed line in the plate surface. This is followed by wiping the surface of the plate using a mesh type interfacing material (found at most fabric shops). Then a final polish of the plate surface is made using clean tissue type paper and the palm of ones hand (the type of tissue that used for examination tables in medical clinics).

Pre-moistened rag paper is set over top of the plate which is placed on top of a press bed. Newsprint is set over top of the paper and then the wool felts are placed over this. The press handles are turned which in effect passes the plate, paper and blankets under the large metal press roller (preset for a specific height and tightness beforehand). When the bed is on the opposite side the blankets are lifted and the paper is very carefully lifted to reveal the print on paper. The extreme pressure has forced the softened fibers of the paper (from the dampening beforehand) down into the lower scored inked areas which effectively transfers this to the paper. The plate also leaves a slight embossment in the paper around the edges. 

plate and paper after passing through the roller of the press

the moment of truth

paint application

Elementary School art - Printmaking exhibition

display of two colour foam plate prints

Apologies to my followers, I have been visibly absent from my blog for several months.  During this time period I have undertaken several new projects with another four grades during my year long artist residency. I also took on an additional short term side project at another school during the month of April.
Will be posting several entries over the next few days that will feature both completed and in progress photos and comments relating to my art educator activities since February.

But first I forgot to post the final printmaking project I did with grades one and twos back in January. This was styrofoam plate prints. I find this medium very adaptable to young artist. First this method doesn't pose any threats from injuries using sharp cutting tools, Ball point pens or pencil tips work fine. Students can also press shapes into the foam. One method I have employed to achieve this for example is to take string, lay it over the plate, put a hard cover book over top and have the young student stand on the book. Their body weight forces the string into the foam surface and leaves a embossed shape in it.

                         a grade one student drawing into a soft dense foam plate using ball point pen

drawing directly into the foam using a pen

detail of foam based drawing. The pen collapses the foam and the lower areas do not hold ink when it is rolled across the surface. The print produced reproduces the drawing as white line in reverse on the paper.

Water based relief printing ink (tempera paint will also work if you are on a shoe string budget) is applied to the plate surfacw with a soft rubber brayer (or soft foam brayer for tempera). Paper is set over top and using hand burnishing using either the palm of their hand or a tool like a rubbing stick or back of a wooden spoon pressure is applied thereby transferring the ink from the plate surface to the paper.

the inking area

In the photo above students and their teacher are engaged in application of water based relief printing ink to the surface of the foam plates. For this exercise one colour prints were made. I used metal cookie sheets for containing and rolling out inks onto the brayers.

Print made using blue ink. Notice how where the drawing remains as negative space defined by the white of the paper.  

Elementary school art - Printmaking - Monoprints

Today I gave lessons in simple monoprint printmaking to students from grade two and grade one/two split class.
The theme was "thinking of spring/summer". After an especially bitter cold and snowy December and beginning to January this hopefully raised spirits in the process.

I purchased a couple of inexpensive rolls of coated freezer paper to use as the painting plates.
I mixed water based block printing inks with Createx Monotype medium and this helped the paint grip the waxy side of the paper when it was applied with synthetic #5 watercolour brushes.

A quick fine spray of water mist was made to the painting to allow as a release agent. Subi blockprinting paper was placed over top of each painting. Students applied pressure using soft rubber brayers rolled over the top sheet and transfer of paint pigments were made onto the top sheet.

The young artists really enjoyed this activity and we were able to accomplish everything in the one hour sessions for each grade with a little prep of materials in advance.

Challenges of teaching printmaking to very young artists

students making prints off styrofoam

I have learned during my recent placement in a local school as an art educator that there have been a few challenges involved with teaching printmaking to young primary school students.
With grades one and two level they are just beginning to learn about colour.
My first recourse before we are fully engaged in an activity has been to first explain a little bit to them about colour. Using the colour wheel as a visual aid has been the best way to do this. I try to make a little game out of this by telling them terms and then see if they can remember the terms.
Using word and number association is a clever way to help remember. I tell them that the three primary colours them are the first or #1. Mixing of the combinations of the 3 makes secondary colours which become #2. Tertiary or third colours are #3. Showing them the opposite colour in a straight line across the wheel helps them to recognize the complementary colour.

I also am finding that some of the key learning aspects with basic printmaking are shape and texture. Surfaces such as cardboard, modeling clay, craft foam and styrofoam are used as the means by which students can explore both of these.
Drawing skills are of course key to any artistic discipline so we also focus on this. I show them examples of line and related ie. dots, cross hatching, spacing of linear elements, weight of line, etc...
I also talk about key concepts such as repetition, pattern, contrast of colours, colour harmony, balance of elements in a composition. These require an explanation in it's simplest form so that the young minds can grasp what I am saying. I achieve this by drawing an example on the chalk board or pointing out a particular concept by showing them a famous work of art and how it illustrates and incorporates this.

I explain to them that what sets printmaking apart from other types of art approaches is the ability to make multiple images from a single source.

Challenges are discovered though the application of ink onto a surface (either too thin or too thick) and determining the correct amount of pressure to apply when printing using hand rubbing or stamping ( not enough yields a spotty print or too much pressure and you get a blob with no details).

My visits have been limited to less than one hour. This has forced me to deliver projects that can be accomplished either in one visit or in stages over several visits. It means I have to set up materials ahead of class and not dwell too much on discussion but give students engagement time to be creative.

Elementary School art - mix media printmaking with primary students

Grade one student with his collage/print (mix media)

The past couple of visits to the classrooms of grades one and two at St. Martin were productive. Students learned a bit about colour theory using the colour wheel for reference.
The object of this particular activity was making impressions from different surfaces. It also explored textural elements.
Phase one had the students draw into or press objects into modeling clay. Water based block printing ink was rolled onto the surface, paper was set over top and an impression was made onto paper using hand rubbing with an object or fingers.

explanation of  how secondary colours can be created from the mix of two of the primary colours

 and this was also used as a visual aid for explaining complementary colours to young students

a student discovers that modeling clay can be rolled and textured

to produce a continuous print on paper 

plastic texture plate was used on modeling clay to make an impression.
Orange block print ink was rolled across the surface

too much application of ink and using too much pressure unfortunately

 smudges the prints as a few students learned during the process

semi circular set up for students to apply inks to clay plates

colour textural impressions set aside to dry

Phase two had the students cut the prints out from the paper and glue (collage) these onto a piece of heavier Bristol board. Foam peel and stick shapes were affixed onto cardboard squares and ink was rolled onto the raised relief shapes. These were stamped over top and into the collage.
Themes explored included underwater and land based environments. Students also incorporated additional drawing and colour applications using marker to the collage prints.

students applying ink to foam shapes on cardboard (stamps) at inking station

grade one student adding elements using marker to the collage and stamp picture

pressing a stamp shape onto paper

different applications of printmaking, collage and drawing create a unique and interesting visual

grade one student work - crocodile on marshy area...quite clever!

Grade One student Isabelle's mix media picture

Elementary School art - placement as a resident artist (printmaking)

I started a full year placement as a resident artist in a local elementary school last week. Thanks to a grant from the Ontario Arts Council I am able to work with 8 classes at St. Martin Jr. Catholic school here in Thunder Bay.
The grade levels participating are grades one, two, four, five and six.
I have taken on four classroom projects for the fall semester and visit twice a week.

As a kickoff to the junior primary visits I gave them a fun mixed media project that marries a bit of simple printmaking with collage. The theme was "Scary Monsters".
The technique is fairly simple. We used flattened unbleached coffee filters and washable colour markers to create a colourful template. Water is sprayed on these and prints are made by setting white paper over top and then transferring off the filter using a bit of pressure from various types of roller tools.
Once these were dry the students cut out various geometric shapes they had traced onto construction paper and glued these over top of the prints. They then cut out the face.
This activity was ideal for the time frame of one hour visits. Visit #1 saw creation of the colour filters and printing onto paper.
Visit #2 involved the cut and paste.

The grade six class I am currently visiting are going to be undertaking a drypoint on acrylic plate project. It might also include a bit of collage or relief roll. I will post a blog entry relating to the project later on once I have some photos.

Here are some photos from the Scary Monsters project.

 applying colours onto flat unbleached coffee filters using washable colour markers

student with abstract design...this will become the background or "skin" for the monster face

grade two - teacher Mrs. Hindmann

 transferring the print to paper using a soft rubber brayer

brilliant colour abstract on a coffee filter

this design sort of created itself purely by accident

arranging and applying the cut construction paper shapes with stick glue

 student cuts out face shape after gluing down the construction paper shapes

 interesting shapes were used to make a hideous face

 a fun face creation

grade one - teacher Mrs. Wright

 various faces created by grade one/two students from Mrs. Savioli's class

 scary face created by grade two student

Video from my recent Artist Residency at Quetico Provincial Park

If anyone is interested in learning more about this program details are available in the website of the Quetico Foundation. Artists from all over the globe are welcome to come and be "Inspired by Quetico". A small studio building is provided for the two week period and you also have the opportunity to venture into the interior of the park if so desired.