Art Dad: Print Making

 This week my wife is focusing on Japan for homeschooling.  She asked me if I'd do print making with the kids (they would then write a poem to go with their art).  We used styrofoam trays I purchased at Dollar Tree (Because I love Dollar Tree!!), pencils, paper, spray bottle, and Sargent Art's Paint Sticks. I had the kids draw the basic lines for their image and then print with their lightest color (we spritz the paper with the spray bottle and blotted it with a paper towel before printing the first color to make it more receptive).  I then had the kids draw more detail into their work and print their medium value.  Last I had them decide what part would receive the darkest color, and we cut away the rest of the styrofoam.  The kids enjoyed the process, and wanted to make more! 

After we finished the incised prints, I had them make some transfer prints using aluminum foil, markers, spray bottle and paper.  The older girls were blown away, and wanted to make paper to create cards, collage paper, and backgrounds for other art. My oldest daughter's best friend is also home schooling with us.  Her mom texted me later that evening and said her daughter was so excited she taught their next door neighbor how do do the transfer print!! 

Buggy Mono-Prints: 1st grade

So this week I've been doing mono-printing with my first graders.  I decided to use watercolor pencils. It has worked ok, but will probably go a different direction next time around!  I've done oil pastels in the past ...both water soluble and regular.  I think the regular oil pastels...and then using a spoon to rub it worked the best.  Live & learn!!!! 

I have a bunch of small water bottles always at the ready!!!  

Paper Marbling With Shaving Cream: Step by Step

Here are the supplies you'll need.  Shaving cream, craft stick, tempera or liquid watercolor paint, brush,  plastic lid cut in half, and paper to print on..  You can also use an aluminum pan/mat/flat Styrofoam tray instead of placing the shaving cream on the table...but that isn't necessary.

If you cut a lid in half...it will act as the perfect squeegee for removing the foam and paint later on.  I find the larger the lid, the better!!!!  This isn't a must have, but I like it because you can reuse them!!!!

There should be about an inch or so thickness to the shaving cream, and should be spread out to fit the size paper you are planning to print on.  Using your brush(or a craft stick)...drop paint onto the foam surface.

Take your craft stick and drag it through in one direction...not going too deep with the stick.

Take the craft stick through the opposite direction.  You can do this to your personal liking...trying to get the feathered look. Be careful not to over do it...or you'll just have a muddied look to your print.

Place paper on top of foam surface and press gently into the surface.

Lifting it off...you may think...OH NO..IT'S A HOT MESS?!?!?!?!  Don't worry...the magic comes once you squeegee that mess off!! ha ha  

Using your half lid...scrap off the foam/paint going from bottom to top.  Shake off the mess..and scrap the rest off.  Should be able to do this in 2 or 3 passes depending on the size of your lid and paper.  

You can theme your colors any way you like to fit with the next step of whatever project you're going to create.  Vague...yes...but this process can take you into many other projects: book making, collage, mixed media, paper weaving, etc.

You can use the same surface again to create another print.  The results are inconsistent though.  I dropped more paint onto the surface...re-drug the craft stick through...and reprinted.

It is a little muddied, but still beautiful.

Clean up isn't bad with this....and your room will smell soooooooooo good!!!!! ha ha 

I HOPE THIS STEP-BY-STEP HELPED!!!!!!  

HAPPY MARBLING!!!!

Peacock-A-Palooza Part 3: Line Drawing w/ Mono-Print

I'm in love with this project!!!  So simple...so easy!  You can use Andy Warhol's early years as an advertising artist as your inspiration!!  A simple line drawing using Sharpie.....and the color overlay using a mono-print technique.  Just remember to cover the plexiglass with a clear liquid soap so that the liquid watercolor does not bead up.  

Experimenting With New Projects: Teacher Examples

I love to try out new ideas...new projects!  I get bored doing the same ol' same ol' !!!!  Having student teachers allows me the chance to experiment....either because my student teacher is bringing new ideas that I'd like to try, during our time ideas get sparked for new projects or new ways to try old projects, or I see something on blogs/Pinterest that I want to see if they'd work in my room.  Here are my latest experiments in the laboratory of Mr. E!!

This was a Pinterest find.  I used acrylic..and then a tempera varnish over top of it to help the paint from getting scratched off.  I warn you...this project is extremely labor intensive!  If you were working with middle/high school...they could do the cutting, but I do not feel that the earlier elementary ages would do the best at cutting the milk jug down.  We're doing this with 2nd grade...and are excited about the end result.  Hopefully worth all the work. The students started this week...so pictures of their work coming soon.

My third graders are creating collagraphs.  As I was observing my student teacher...I started cutting some of the left over cereal boxes.  I thought..."Wonder what it would be like to paint it black(tempera) & then use oil pastels on top?!?!"  Here is the answer.  I really like the look.  We're going to try it...stay tuned.

Our 4th graders have been working on an architecture unit this nine weeks. We went from 2 point perspective...to the clay facades...and now this.  We used St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow as our inspiration.  This project has many components.  If you venture to try this...give yourself two class times.  (TIP: You'll need to have them start the class with their watercolor sky to allow it time to dry.)

In cutting the milk jugs for the mask project...I've been contemplating what I could use the rest of the jug for?!?!  After cutting the back half off...I threw it down on the table on top of a book I was looking at.  I noticed I could easily see through the milk jug , and thought..."hmm...monoprinting?"  I found a section that was flat and cut that out.  After drawing a Koi in Sharpie...I placed the milk jug on top & used water soluble oil pastels to color it..finishing it off with black to define the shape.  I sprayed the paper with water..and then pressed the milk jug onto the surface.   In the picture...bottom left is drawing in sharpie...top middle is the piece of milk jug with oil pastel ...bottom right is the monoprint.  

(TIP: Wash off the milk jug piece when you are finished & you can use it again and again!)

Product Testing: Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plates

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail asking if I'd be interested in reviewing Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plates.  I love trying new products(or new to me products)...so I told them to send them my way!  Today I felt like a kid at Christmas when I found the package in my mail box at school.  I pulled out the product & read through the directions (always important).  Seemed easy enough to use.  I'll provide links so you can view some demo's & obtain further information on the product.  I first tested tempera paint.  It did want to pull/ball up because of the gel plate, but I still feel I obtained a nice monoprint off of it(the basket weave on the left).  This was the 8x10 size gel plate.  I then tried acrylic paint.  The picture I took is not the best, but I thought the results were very cool.  I have been wanting to try a monoprint landscape like this for some time with my students.  This was the smaller 6x6 size.  Clean up was a snap!  I really do like this product, and will keep my eyes open for it in our district approved suppliers!!!  I know BLICK carries it presently!  

THANKS GELLI ARTS FOR LETTING ME TRY YOUR WONDERFUL PRODUCT!!

LINKS FOR THIS PRODUCT

http://gelliarts.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/GelliArts