Block printing projects for kids and adults

Our winter Block Printing class got cut short because of school closures this spring. I did have 2 students that were able to print their finished relief prints. 

This session started with students choosing from 4 different still life arrangements in the studio.

Step 1. Students did 3 thumbnail sketches of different ideas of their selected still life.  We talked about the characteristics of a block print and what makes it different than  other mediums. Students took this into consideration as they developed their ideas.

Step 2. We talked about illustration, composition, positive and negative space, pattern and design. Students selected their favorite sketch and we developed it further considering all of our design elements.

Step 3. We blocked out black and white areas, trying to have them alternate and having a ratio of 50% carved (white) and 50% to remain black ( the inked areas). 

Step 4. Carving the block

Step 5. Printing!

Although we did not have a chicken as part of the still life, the still life arrangements are a starting point. Student creativity is always encouraged!

We simplified the outer border so that it would be a stronger design and easier to carve. I also loke the way the triangular pattern repeats in the strings of the drum.

A playful design with all three objects being the same size. We continued the carved lines on 4 sides of the objects to create a frame.

Still life with arrangement.

Work in progress.

Thumbnail sketches, such an important step when planning any project.

My little press, oh how I love it so...

Kids Summer art camps are here!

Summer camps are now registering! Find all the information on the classes page.

I look forward to summer camps when students can dig deeper into projects and explore a theme in a variety of mediums over the course of consecutive days. Our backyard artist studio is an inspiring space where individuality is encouraged. Small class sizes allow for personal attention and safe space for the development of ideas and friendships.

We've been working on larger format block prints with a few of my private students. The block size is 8x8. I just love it!

Day 1: Our first session was spent with a quick brainstorming session for ideas. From the studio window our Weber Bbq is visible and that was one of the ideas my student had. His father loves to grill, so we took the idea and I had my student do 4-6 different thumbnail sketches. From there, he picked his favorite and we discussed composition, design elements and pattern. A few more sketches and he had a finished drawing an hour later. I like to use a sharpie to define which areas will be carved away.

 
Day 2:  The drawing was scaled up using a simple grid and put onto the carving block, the block carved and proofs printed both by hand and on the press. With its larger size, the proof pulled on the press gave us the best results.

Day 3: With everything in order in the studio we printed the edition. I have a table set up with the press in the middle. to one side is the ink and a place to roll up the plate. On the other side a separate table with a pile of printing paper torn down to the correct size and an area to put the finished prints.

Order is extremely important to insure a good flow and keep the prints clean.

Ta da!!!!

Kids art class: Relief printmaking

Ready to carve! I have the students first sketch out a few possible ideas. We discuss what will work best as relief print and make adjustments to the drawing. A simple drawing with about a 50/50 ratio of positive and negative space. 

Clearly mark out the areas. Carving is fun and its easy to get carried away!

Roll, burnish, print...repeat.

Pick a colour any colour!

Rainbow rolls...

Just keep printing...

An edition of original prints.