Submitted by: Jeannie Sandoval
Unit: Printmaking with Easy Cut  
Lesson Plan: Monoprint -Printmaking Challenge
Grade Level: Middle School (these are 8th grade)
Approximate time line: 2 weeks  
MORE LESSONS FROM JEANNIE SANDOVAL

Be able to produce a self-portrait series using mono printing method. The self-portrait will be taken with a digital camera and will involve the student with an activity that they participate in during the year. For example, athletic props will be borrowed from Gym teacher and students will pose with a baseball bat.

Create a relief print - demonstrate craftsmanship in cutting plate. 

Expand the composition in a creative way - show repetition of image. Explore a variety of media.

Materials:

Easy Cut 12” x 12” (cut to size - or linoleum)
5 x7 digital self portrait printout
Pencil with eraser
Lino blades
Brayers
Various block printing colors
Tempera and or Acrylic Paint assorted colors
Egg carton to hold paint
Styrofoam trays or Plexiglas squares for block ink
Drawing paper to print on (white and construction paper colors)
Poster board/Matboard/ Newspapers - scissors - glue

1. Present some different artists and printmakers - show examples of art about Sports. Take pictures of kids with sports equipment. Perhaps you could do these while the rest of the class does some figure studies - kids posing with the equipment. Go over contour line drawing and gesture drawings.
2. Image photos to high contrast filter in photo program - print off photographs (kids can do this if you have a photo lab)
3. Review printing process - demo proper cutting techniques. Demo/Review printing
4. Present options for monoprint- mixed media
   
   

Carving the block:

1. Students have had previous printing experience – photograph is transferred to block – and block cut – see other printmaking lessons for steps. Adaptation for younger students – use Scratchfoam plates. Note – Linoleum figures can actually be cut out from the block for over printing techniques.

Procedure to follow for Studio project:

The following challenge will be written on the board for the students to know the expectations

1. Before you begin the actual project, you must practice testing out your lino block. Fine tune your block as you go along; keep carving away any background pieces that are picking up when you print. Be sure to label each print with the edition number. Once you are satisfied that you have the technique down and comfortable with the printing process you will turn in your best print to be evaluated by the teacher.
2. The final project must contain the following:
   • A minimum of three self-portrait prints.
   • Background needs to be designed in a way that supports the self-portrait
   • Final piece needs to be mounted so it can be hung on the wall
3. Prints need to be cleanly pulled. Stray marks will result in points being deducted. Final evaluation will involve a verbal presentation to the class. Students will tell about the overall project, why they chose the particular pose. What problems they encountered and how the mastered the problems. What they liked best and what they liked least. If given the choice to start over, what would they have done differently?
   
   

Final studio project is worth two test grades and final critique is worth one test grade, for three grades total.

[JEANNIE SANDOVAL]