Submitted by: Ken Schwab, Leigh
High School, San Jose CA
Unit: Printmaking - Relief Print
Lesson Plan: Woodcut - Gallery of Prints
Grade Level: High school 9 thru 12
Plexiglas
Engraving Lesson by Jennifer Ievolo
PLEXIGLAS
ENGRAVING PRINT
LESSON BELOW
See Prints Gallery
Objectives: student will
- create a wood block print with balance of light
and dark
- register two color print
- exhibit craftsmanship in cutting block and
printing
Materials:
Pine boards -
pencils -erasers
black felt tip pens
V gouges and U gouges - bench hooks
black and white water base block printing ink - colored ink - brayers
Plexiglas plates
palette knives -- wooden spoons
rice paper (Sumi) - source of water
Procedures:
1. Find a piece of wood
that has no knots and a light grain.
2. With the size of the wood select a subject to
print. You must stylize it down to the most important aspects of
it. Make outlines for areas needed and include as much detail as
you think you can, however we are using wood and the lines can be only
so thin.
3. To help in this planning
use a black felt tip marker on the wood after transferring the design to
make all the lines thick enough to cut.
Try to have some large areas of black to help in the composition
and to create a strong value pattern.
4. In order to have two
colors, put a piece of tracing paper over the wood and plan on areas
that can have color or gray as a background to the black print. Transfer this to the back side of the wood.
These are the same size because the it’s the same wood block.
5. Cut out the areas
that are not blackened in because they will not print.
This is a relief print so only the areas left on the wood will
receive ink and print. Cut
the color or gray side first. To
cut out the wood use an X-acto knife to cut a small trough at the edge
of a shape. With U or V gouges wiggle the gouge and push toward the edge
along the grain. Stop at
the trough and chip out the wood. Do
not cut towards you and keep your hands behind the cutting area. We use
bench vises.
6. Print the color or
gray areas first, on a plate spread out some white and then black .
Mix these together with a palette knife and smooth out with a
brayer. Apply the ink with
the brayer using on direction of strokes until an orange peel texture is
seen on the surface of the wood. It
will make a snapping sound when the ink is thick enough.
Drop the paper onto the block and with the smooth side of a spoon
press in circular motions until the print is completely smooth and all
of the surface are printed. Remove
the paper and let dry.
7. Cut the other side
of the wood now and print it over the first one.
Ink up the block and with a piece of board under the paper drop
the block by lining up the edges. Drag
the board out over the edge of the table and together turn it over,
remove the board and print it like the first.
8. If they lined up it
looks great if not print again.
9.
Print an edition (determine suitable number) - sign correctly
10. Critique
finished prints
Assessment:
(sample rubric adapted from Marianne Galyk)
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Assessment Rubric
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Student Name:
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Class Period:
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Assignment:
Woodcut Relief Print
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Date Completed:
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Circle the
number in pencil that
best shows how well you feel that you completed that criterion for
the assignment.
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Excellent
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Good
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Average
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Needs
Improvement
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Rate
Yourself
|
Teacher’s
Rating
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Criteria 1 – shows good balance of
light and dark - strong composition composition
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10
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9 – 8
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7
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6 or less
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Criteria 2 – registers two colors
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10
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9 – 8
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7
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6 or less
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|
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Criteria 3 – pulls prints of
consistent quality - prints an edition - signs correctly
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10
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9 – 8
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7
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6 or less
|
|
|
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Criteria 4 – Effort: took time to
develop idea & complete project? (Didn’t rush.) Good use of
class time?
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10
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9 – 8
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7
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6 or less
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|
|
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Criteria 5 – Craftsmanship – Neat, clean & complete? Skillful use of the
art tools & media?
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10
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9 – 8
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7
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6 or less
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|
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Total:
50
x
2 = 100
(possible
points)
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Grade:
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|
|
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Your Total
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Teacher Total
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Student
Comments:
Teacher
Comments:
Submitted by: Ken Schwab, Leigh
High School, San Jose CA
Unit: Printmaking - Intaglio Print
Lesson Plan: Dry-point Engraving
Grade Level: High school 9 thru 12 (adaptable to middle school)
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Materials:
Plexiglas sheets- 1/8th
to
1/4 inch thickness
400 grit wet/dry sandpaper
Files
Masking tape
Newsprint
Pencils
Dowels
- Nails
Etching ink
Paint thinner
Rives BFK paper
Large tub for water
felt strips
cheese cloth
printing press
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Drypoint
Print:
The simplest, most direct form of intaglio printing is the
drypoint technique. This process is easily recognizable from the
slightly fuzzy lines which it leaves on the paper. It is a method that
results in an almost painterly quality. Drypoint printmaking involves
the following stages. First, a design is scratched onto a ... plate
using a sharp, hard needle. This throws up a rough ridge or burr along
the incised line. When the plate is inked, the printing ink collects in
the grooves and on the burrs. When the print is transferred to paper,
the typical fuzzy drypoint lines are left behind. (definition from
Rijksmuseum)
Procedures:
1. Select the Plexiglas
for the print. Use the
flies and file down the edges to a 45 degree angle down to the base and
round out the corners. Use
some masking tape around the edges first to prevent scratches on the
surface. Sand it down with 400 grit wet and dry sandpaper until it is shiny
and has no lines or marks. This
will prevent the plate from cutting the felt pad on the printing press.
2. Create your sketch
of the subject on some newsprint and make a quick value study to show
areas of light and dark.
3. Cut the newsprint to
the size of the Plexiglas and tape the newsprint picture on to the Plexiglas
on the bottom side.
4. Make a tool by hammering a small brad into a ½
inch dowel cut to 5 “ in length. Cut off the tip and use the file
to create a sharp point. This will be the engravinging tool.
5. Scratch out lines
using cross hatch style over the Plexiglas by looking through to the
sketch underneath. Make
sure the scratches are deep enough by listening for a sound of
scratching on the surface. Do
not scratch so much that the surface is completely gone.
This will not print as this is an intaglio print and must have a
line to keep the ink in. Dark
areas still have some spaces of clean glass around them.
Too deep can be a problem as well as the paper can not get down
to the ink. Finish the
scratching.
6. Soak a piece of Rives BFK paper in a tub of water for at
least 10 minutes. With a dauber made with rolled felt strips and
taped down grab some etching ink and push the ink into the lines on the
Plexiglas in a circular motion. Press very hard and get the ink
down into the lines. With cheese cloth sections, wipe the ink off
softly and gently in one direction change the surface area of the
cheesecloth often to keep taking off ink. The flat surface of the
Plexiglas will be nearly clean leaving the lines filled with ink.
Use a crunched up wad of newsprint to lightly glance off the Plexiglas
to take off some of the film. Using Q-tips will take out film in
small areas.
7. Set the press up with a newsprint piece below followed
by the plate then the paper (blotted to get all surface water off), and
another sheet of newsprint. Cover with a thin felt blanket and
move under the roller in the press. Set the pressure hard and
evenly onto the plate and pass it through the press twice. Remove
the print and WOW such a deal!
8. Sandwich the print
in newsprint and leave it under some drawing boards to dry (Or put
between blotters). Change
the paper every day and it will be flat.
If you do not do this it will be wrinkled and unable to matt.
Extensions:
Add chine
collé.
This paper (tissue paper work well) - cut to fit shapes of plate - or
abstract. Here is the ArtLex definition for Chine Collé: A technique in
printmaking in which an impression is made on a surface at the same time
as its opposite side is adhered to a heavier support in the procedure.
This process permits printing onto such delicate materials as rice paper
and linen, allowing the plate to produce finer details in the printed
image than would normally be possible. Once an adhesive (traditionally a
solution of rice flour and
water) has been applied to the reverse side of the lighter material, the
heavier support (typically, such a heavyweight paper as is typically used in printmaking) is placed upon
it. In applying the pressure of the press, the reverse side of the
lighter material adheres to the support as an image is simultaneously
printed onto its obverse side. (pr. sheen koh-lay)
From Judy: I have done chine collé with intaglio printing
methods....I used wheat paste as that is what I had on hand. Plate is
inked up as usual. Lay cut (or torn shapes) on plate - sprinkle some
wheat paste on the back side of the shapes. Carefully place on bed of
press and place damp printing paper on top. Run through press - the
collage paper will stick and image will be printed on the colored
papers.
Engravings on a Budget
- Use CD's
Nov 2000 Arts and
Activities
"A NEW SPIN CDs as printing plates" on using old CD's as plates.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HTZ/is_3_128/ai_66380277
Submitted
by: Jennifer Ievolo
UNIT: Printmaking - Drypoint Engraving
Lesson: Plexiglas Engraving - Illustrate a poem, quote or song
lyrics
Grade Level: High School (adaptable to middle school)
Objectives:
Students will understand the significance/importance of printmaking
as an art form. Students will
be able to identify the work of several printmakers. Students will know
the terms and techniques of the printmaking process.
Students will create their own prints using Plexiglas dry point
engravings created from their original drawings based on a quote, song
lyric, or poem.
Materials:
Visual aids/hand-outs
Quotes,
literary, music references
Drawing
Paper/Pencils
Plexiglas
plates
Engraving
tools (tools can be made using small nails and dowel rods)
Sandpaper,
files
Printmaking
Ink (water-based)
Brayers
Cheesecloth/small
pieces of mat board/newsprint paper
Watercolor
paper/ Rives BFK printing paper
Printing
Press
pan for
water, blotters
Motivation:
Students will
visit a museum (teacher selected --- based on available/ appropriate
exhibits) to view prints/lithographs/etchings.
After viewing examples, students will have the opportunity to
observe authentic etching plates from the 1940’s & 50’s. (owned by
Ms. Ievolo--- Grandfather was a professional engraver) Teacher will
facilitate a discussion and demonstration of the tools and the printing
process.
Procedure:
a-
Teacher will display printmaking tools and visual examples of
prints to elicit observational discussions.
b-
Students will be encouraged to draw connections between the tools
and techniques used and the resulting printed image.
Essential
Questions:
1 - What do you observe in the work? What details, shapes, lines
and textures?
2 - How do you assume each of these works were
created?
3 - What tools were used to create the various
effects?
4 - What elements are present in the tools that indicate to you the
type
of
print they will produce?
c-
After observation and hypotheses, teacher will lead a discussion
and review of the terms, tools and techniques of printmaking. (hand-out)
d-
Teacher will emphasize drypoint
engraving for this lesson. (Note: etching refers to acid method of
making lines)
e-
Students will choose a quote from a song or poem and create an
original drawing based on the sentiment of the quote.
f-
Teacher will demonstrate the engraving process and the proper use of
the engraving tools.
g-
Students will scratch/engrave their Plexiglas plates with the
engraving tools by
securing their original drawings under the Plexiglas.
h-
After the drawing is engraved completely, students will sand the
edges of the plates at a 45 degree angle and round the corners. (this will
prevent the plate from tearing the paper when run through the press)
i-
Teacher will demonstrate how to evenly distribute the ink on to the
plate with the brayer.
j-
Teacher will demonstrate how to clean the excess ink off the surface of
the
plate.
1- using a small piece of mat board, scrape the excess ink off the plate
while pushing
the ink into the scratched
lines.
2- Using Cheesecloth, in a circular motion, remove the excess
ink.
3- Remove the remaining ink from the surface of the plate with
newsprint.
4- Clean the edges of the plate with a wet Q-Tip.
k-
During the cleaning process, student should be soaking a piece of
Rives BFK printing paper in water for 10 minutes.
l-
After a demonstration of how to use the printing press, students
will blot their paper to remove excess water.
m-
Students will place the plate on the surface of the press bed, the
paper on top of the plate, in between sheets of newsprint.
All items will be covered with felt and run through the press.
n-
The finished print should be lifted off the plate carefully and put
aside to dry.
o-
Students will be encouraged to produce an edition and number prints
correctly.
Vocabulary:
Printmaking
Lithography
Monoprint
Silkscreen printing
Woodcut/Wood
engraving
Brayer
Linocut
Edition
Intaglio
Chine Collé
Engraving
Etching
Drypoint
Mezzotint
Aquatint
Stipple
Closure:
The critique process will serve as closure to this
unit and will be divided into several stages. The first critique
will be an assessment of the original drawings/designs. The
second critique will be an assessment of the etching plate, and the
final critique will be an assessment and discussion of the edition of
prints.
Assessment: Rubric adapted
from Marianne Galyk
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Assessment Rubric
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Student Name:
|
Class Period:
|
|
Assignment:
Dry
Point Engraving Print
|
Date Completed:
|
|
Circle the
number in pencil that
best shows how well you feel that you completed that criterion for
the assignment.
|
Excellent
|
Good
|
Average
|
Needs
Improvement
|
Rate
Yourself
|
Teacher’s
Rating
|
|
Criteria 1 – drawing for print -
illustrating poem, quote or song lyrics
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10
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9 – 8
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7
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6 or less
|
|
|
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Criteria 2 – engraving of plate -
cross hatching/textures to show range of values
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10
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9 – 8
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7
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6 or less
|
|
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Criteria 3 – pulls prints of
consistent quality - prints an edition - signs correctly
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10
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9 – 8
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7
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6 or less
|
|
|
|
Criteria 4 – Effort: took time to
develop idea & complete project? (Didn’t rush.) Good use of
class time?
|
10
|
9 – 8
|
7
|
6 or less
|
|
|
|
Criteria 5 – Craftsmanship – Neat, clean & complete? Skillful use of the
art tools & media?
|
10
|
9 – 8
|
7
|
6 or less
|
|
|
|
Total:
50
x
2 = 100
(possible
points)
|
Grade:
|
|
|
|
|
Your Total
|
Teacher Total
|
Student
Comments:
Teacher
Comments:
