Lesson Plan Submitted by: Ken Schwab
Leigh
High School Art Department
Unit: Printmaking - Multi-plate Relief Prints
Lesson Plan: Linoleum three color prints - Andy Warhol Style
Grade Level: High School
Motivation: It
was a lesson with Andy Warhol. Ken used a lot of his works to show
how he changed colors and made each print special but a part of the
group.
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Objectives:
Create a print using multiple blocks
Utilize the elements and principles of design in creating a strong
design.
Demonstrate skill in carving the block and registration of colors.
Show appreciation and awareness of the work of Andy Warhol
Materials needed:
3 linoleum blocks
cutters newsprint
pencils
erasers
assorted colored inks (waterbased)
brayers
spoons
good drawing paper
rulers
Procedures:
1. Choose a subject that is easy to stylize, such as people's faces or
objects that are close. Simple is better. Make a sketch of
the entire composition and have it fit the size of the block. Do
this on newsprint and make many changes as are needed. Use only
outline shapes and don't use any shading. Anything that needs
shading is going to be simplified to a shape.
2. Place tracing paper over the sketch and try to separate the design
into three plates. These plate should include the entire design
and will print the complete outline of the block when finished.
One is usually the background and one is the back colors to the subject
and the third can be outlines. Plan for three blocks.
3. Trace out the shapes of each area and transfer to each block.
Use a black felt pen to color in the area to be printed and leave the
rest bare.
4. Use linoleum cutters, gouges and such to remove all the area that is
not black.
5. Make a practice print by starting with the background areas and with
the colored inks, mix new colors or make gradations with more than one
brayer. place the block face down on the paper and with a board
underneath the paper pull it around and remove the board. With the
back of the paper showing, rub all over with the back of a spoon to
press the ink and complete a print.
6. When dry, ink up the second block and carefully drop it using the
edges of the first print as a guide. Turn it over and repeat the
process for the next print. Repeat this for the last block and it
will be ready to proofread.
7. Look at the blocks and see that they line up make corrections or make
a note to move it over to one side if needed.
8. With a larger piece of drawing paper 80# or better, use a pencil and
ruler to make a light line for the edge of the print cross it with
another to form the corner. Line up the first print to this edge
and then the rest in line with that. Use three, six or nine prints
varying the colors and values in each block. We use color schemes
or even the chromatic scale as Warhol did.
9. Each print must be done after the last is dry so this takes a
while. You can print one in the morning, on at lunch and one after
school. Some students print one after another without smearing but
you take a big chance with that.
10. I use water based inks for easy cleanup. Don't waste ink
and if they make too much see if another student needs that color and
share. Plan ahead the colors to use, change values and go opposite
the normal colors to give interest.
