Printmaking Basics

This class is an introduction to printmaking history and technique.

 

Ages: 7th - 12th grade

(a less comprehensive lesson is available for elementary grades)

The following topics are presented:

  1. •The history of the art of printmaking

  2. •The techniques of relief printing, intaglio, silkscreen and lithography

  3. •How to draw an image to transfer to prints

  4. •The concept of negative/positive space

  5. •The correct way to use ink and brayers

  6. •How to ink using a “rainbow roll”

  7. •How to print on a press

  8. •What is an edition?


Art Activity:


Students are given drawings for inspiration to make their own line drawing.  This drawing is transfered to a sticky backed foam printing plate and made into a relief print using colored inks and printing press.

There are almost limitless choices of art prints for inspiration. Here are some Inuit stone-cuts that work well using birds as the subject.

Objective:


Students develop tactile understanding, vocabulary and appreciation of printmaking.  They will learn the purpose of and work involved in creating prints.