Tempera Batik

8th grade artwork submitted by Judi Morgan, St. George's School, Spokane, WA.

Lesson Plan Submitted by Beth Elzinga, Elementary Art Teacher at Champlain Valley Christian School/North Country Christian Academy in Vergennes/Williston, Vermont. (USA)

Grades: 4 - 6th grades 
(Middle School lesson)
elementary through high school.

Materials:

Construction paper, white chalk, tempera paints, water dishes, brushes, India ink, sponge brushes, Masonite boards newspaper

Resources:

George Rouault (good for lesson on clown faces or portraits)
Paintings by Julie Dunn (larger images are not there)
Julie Dunn's Web site  Step-by-step process

Procedure:

1. Draw a chalk picture on construction paper (nature is a popular theme - leaves, plants, birds). Use thick chalk lines. Make shapes of your drawing large and simple
2. Paint inside the chalk lines. Use any color but black. Don't paint over the chalk lines. Leave spaces between colors. Paint should be applied heavily (build up layers). If you can see the texture of the paper it is too thin. If you accidentally paint over the chalk lines, you can use a paint scraper to scrape the line back into place.
3. Let painting dry completely. When dry, use gum eraser or tissues to gently wipe away the chalk lines. Tape paintings to Masonite boards.
4. Pour waterproof India ink into a shallow dish. Use a sponge brush to gently cover the painting with one coat of ink. Don't overlap brushstrokes.
5. Let ink dry for 30 minutes. Then hold painting under cool water and gently rub away ink. (do not allow ink to dry too long -- it will be too hard to wash off)
6. Set painting on Newspapers to dry. The ink sticks to the painting in some places, just like batik! The results are striking!

Note from Judy Decker: I do not recommend this for kindergarten or younger grades. I think you would have to do too much of the processes yourself.

Submitted by Joyce Paliulionis, Komarek School, in North Riverside, Illinois
UNIT: Painting - Tempera Batik
Lessons: Symmetrical Mask Designs - Still life
Grade Level: Middle School

Symmetrical Mask Design     Still Life - Subjective and Objective colors. 
These are 18" x 24"

Objectives:

• Utilize elements and principles of design - develop strong composition
• Exploration of colors - contrast - simplification of forms
• Develop painting skills

Motivation:

Try using Greg Percy's "Obscure Color Song" (Songs in the Key of Art #4) with this lesson. Have student do some mixing of unusual colors for their still life (or what ever theme you choose)

Tips from Joyce: We sketched first in pencil, then went over the pencil with chalkboard chalk making the lines nice and thick. We used a highly pigmented tempera, Artista and Crayola are both good, and painted thickly between the chalk lines.  We let the paint dry thoroughly (overnight)...placed the painted paper on Masonite...brushed india ink, in one direction, over the entire painting and immediately rinsed the ink off using a gentle flow of water ( I went to the home economics room and used the sink spray). I did have to use my fingers to help remove the ink at times.  Be gentle, the paper is fragile when wet.  By the way, these were large, 18 x 24, so I rinsed them...smaller size works can be handled by the students.

Note from Judy Decker: With some brands of tempera you can mix in a touch of Elmer's glue. This will prevent too much tempera from washing off. Test your tempera brand first with a small amount. Some brands will gum up and paint and glue will be wasted. Try this lesson with Sax tempera paints. Colors are rich and bright. Architecture, nature close-ups,  landscapes would be other good theme choices.

See work of Julie Dunn and her Step-by-step process

Elementary Art Lessons   Middle School Lessons