TE BI PITE - nhqced.com · Using larger printing presses (rather than just pressing the plate and the paper together by hand) also allowed people to produce a much greater volume

CREATIVE ARTS | PRINTMAKING

THE BIG PICTURE

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 1 Creative Arts | Printmaking

Printing or printmaking is a broad term to describe a process of making multiple copies of an image. This includes not only pictures and patterns, but also written documents, maps, and other informational material.

In this age of technology, you are probably more familiar with digital reproduction techniques in your daily lives, but for many thousands of years before the advent of digital storage and printing of images, people had to figure out other ways to make and share documents. It was very time consuming to make hand copies of maps, pictures, and even whole books, and also it was easy to make errors. People figured out different ways to more easily make reproductions first by hand, and then by mechanized printing. In our lives today, we still use lots of things that are printed, but handmade prints are now special because they take time and care to produce.

Traditionally, printing has meant transferring ink

onto paper or cloth.

It was one of the first ways that people figured out to

make reproductions.



ZOOMING INThe simplest manner of printing is a relief print. You could think of this as something like a stamp. We know that in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, people used special seals to make marks in wet clay tablets and in soft wax. The first printing using ink, however, was probably onto fabric, and then later onto paper. Early printmakers from many different parts of the world then figured out how to use wood: the artist or printer would draw a design onto a block of wood, and then cut away everything that wasn’t part of the final image to make a printing plate. Next, ink or paint was applied to the surface of the plate, and, finally, it was pressed to paper or to fabric, transferring the design. Wood blocks were used to create designs on fabric and on paper to produce images, text, and later on, even to make books. But wood blocks are fragile, and it can be difficult to get fine detail in an image carved into a material like wood.

During the Renaissance period of history (from the 1400s onward), people developed other ways to create printing plates that were more durable using metal. Processes like moveable type, engraving, and, later, lithography gave printers the ability to make lots of very accurate reproductions.

+ Using larger printing presses (rather than just pressing the plate and the paper together by hand) also allowed people to produce a much greater volume of printed material more quickly.

+ Artists today still make prints by hand using wood blocks, metal plates, stencils, and screens. Books, newspapers, and fabric are made on big machines.

In this unit, you will make several kinds of a handmade prints, and you can spend some time as a group investigating mechanical and digital reproduction if you are interested in learning more.

We hear a lot about how mobile and digital

communications are changing our society right

now, and it can be both exciting and scary.

But we are definitely not living through

the first—or even the biggest!—revolution in

communication.



#ONE MORE THING

Revolution in Communication

One revolution took place in the middle of the 15th century, when a printer and inventor named Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized printing and publishing by innovating a way to create durable, moveable type. This streamlined and radically sped up the printing of text. One of the first books he produced, and certainly the most famous, is what we now call the Gutenberg Bible, which was the very first machine-produced Bible and probably the first mass-produced book ever sold. Before that, books were individually handmade, a process that was extremely laborious and time consuming, making access to printed Bibles a luxury. The method that Gutenberg pioneered allowed for a dramatically increased availability of Bibles (and other printed materials).

Literacy rates quickly increased across Europe with the more affordable and accessible printed material. The availability of Bibles to everyday Christians ultimately contributed to radical changes within Christianity itself in the form of the Protestant Reformation and its emphasis on having a personal relationship with and knowledge of the Word of God—something that was not possible when access to actual copies of the Bible was almost completely impossible for most Christians.

The printing press didn’t just change Christianity—it also made possible the sharing of information across vast distances and over time. People did not need to meet face-to-face or hand-write and hand-deliver personal letters in order to share ideas. Diagrams and maps did not have to be traced or hand-copied to share technical and scientific information. The innovation of mass-produced printed publications was also a necessary condition for the industrial revolution, the age of discovery, the scientific revolution, and the political and economic centralization of the powerful nationstates of Europe and the rest of the world.

When you are making prints as part of this unit, imagine having to hand-carve and hand-print, page by page, the entire Bible, and you can see why creating durable, moveable, and reusable letters and images on metal plates that could be set, used, moved, and then recombined and used again was revolutionary!


ACTIVITY | PRINTMAKING

GO DO SEE BE NAME:

DATE:

To complete this unit, make prints using at least three of the methods described below.

TASK 1 RELIEF PRINTING: STYROFOAM1) Using the area below and pencils, draw a design, logo, or picture that you plan to use. This may take

several tries! Remember that any words or numbers need to be reversed--like in a mirror.

2) Transfer it onto the back of the styrofoam tray by tracing from your paper or copying. Then, use a pen or pencil to make your lines deeper/thicker without breaking the styrofoam.

3) Push in areas of the styrofoam that you wish to keep white on the paper.

4) Using felt-tipped markers, completely cover the styrofoam with marker ink.

5) Carefully press it onto a piece of white paper.

Make multiple versions of your print! Experiment with different colors.



GO DO SEE BE NAME:

DATE:

TASK 2 RELIEF PRINTING: STAMP1) On paper, draw an image, logo, or word for your stamp. This may take several tries! Remember that you

must transfer it in reverse (mirror image) if your design is not symmetrical--words and images will be printed in reverse by your stamp.

2) When you are ready, transfer your design to one face of your eraser. One way you can do this is to actually make a kind of a print; use very thick application of pencil on your design, press it to the eraser, and then use what is transferred as a guide. Or, cut out your design and trace around it.

3) Then, use ink to draw your design more permanently onto the eraser. Very carefully, using an Xacto® knife or the corner of a straight razor, make a cut around all the edges of your design.

4) Bit by bit, start to remove all the parts of the eraser that are not part of your design.

5) When you have removed everything, press your stamp into the ink pad and apply to paper.

6) Adjust as needed.

NOTE: If you feel uncomfortable handling sharp objects, ask your guide for help! Also, your guide may wish to substitute some of the materials for ones that are easier to handle but equally fun!

TASK 3 STENCIL PRINTING1) Plan out a design with pencil on the oak tag.

2) When the design is complete, very carefully cut it out. Start by cutting out the center, and work your way outwards.

3) You are ready to print! Place your stencil on top of another paper, and then use either a roller with ink or a sponge dipped in paint (or fairly thick watercolor paint) to apply color carefully and all around your design.

4) Lift the stencil and admire! If you need to try again, you can adjust either your stencil or your color application method.



GO DO SEE BE NAME:

DATE:

TASK 4 COLLOGRAPH PRINTING + With collograph printing, you will build up layers on your printing plate, and then apply ink to the whole

thing and press your paper onto it. You want a dimensional surface, but not so thick that the paper can’t conform to the plate.

+ When the design is complete, very carefully cut it out. Start by cutting out the center, and work your way outwards.

+ You are ready to print! Place your stencil on top of another paper, and then use either a roller with ink or a sponge dipped in paint (or fairly thick watercolor paint) to apply color carefully and all around your design.

+ Lift the stencil and admire! If you need to try again, you can adjust either your stencil or your color application method.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Cut a piece of stiff cardboard that will be the base for your printing plate.

2) Then, plan a design or image that will fill most of the plate.

3) Using layers of stiff, thick paper, build up your design starting with the largest shapes and moving inward. Finer detail will be provided by smaller shapes that you stack on top. Use at least 3 or 4 layers, but do as many as you want! Some parts of your image may have more layers than others. You can experiment with using some textured materials other than paper for details as long as it is relatively flat.

4) Then, plan a design or image that will fill most of the plate.

5) Glue your design firmly down to the plate, one at a time. Don’t use too much glue, or it will take too long to dry.

6) Press the layers firmly together to be sure that they adhere well. Focus on gluing at the edges of each layer so they don’t pull up later. You might even place something heavy like a book on top to weigh it down.

7) Once the glue has had time to firmly attach the layers, you can start to experiment with using it to print. Either use a roller and printing ink, or use a sponge to apply a thin even layer of paint, and then press the plate onto a piece of paper. Make sure that you are pressing all parts of your plate and paper together!

8) Lift off the paper and then experiment with the amount of ink/paint that you are applying get an effect you like.



GO DO SEE BE NAME:

DATE:

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK!

While a greeting or an expression of thanks in person is always appreciated, there is something very special about presenting someone with a handwritten message on a card or paper that you have designed and made yourself!

Materials: good quality paper (blank cards, stationary, etc), glue, ink, and additional materials as needed for the method you select

1) First, decide for what purpose you will be making your prints. Is there a holiday coming up for which you want to produce a small-run card? Do you have an invitation that you will be sending or handing out soon? Perhaps you want to make thank you cards. They are extremely useful not only for thanking people who have given you a gift, but also for people like your teachers, coaches, mentors, pastors, and other people in your lives who have taken time to guide and teach you something.

2) Choose from the printing methods you already learned in this unit and design your text or images.

3) Print out some tests on regular paper (before you start using the higher quality paper or the blank cards!).

4) Consider printing directly onto thicker paper (perhaps of a contrasting color) and then, once the prints are dry, trim them and glue them onto the front of your card.

5) Remember to sign and number the corner or the back—this is a limited-run piece of artwork! You can initial or sign, and then number it using what looks like a fraction. For instance, if you made 6 cards, then the first one is numbered 1/6, and the last is 6/6 (first of six, sixth of six).

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers GR-1 Creative Arts | Printmaking


GUIDE’S RESOURCES


This topic aims to introduce the boys to printmaking as a process and as creative expression. Many boys may have pre-conceived notions about printing and the activities associated with it, such as making cards and stenciling designs as “for girls.” In fact, printmaking is a wonderful way to sharpen fine motor skills and to utilize creative thinking. At the end of this unit, each boy will have several prints of his own creation. He will also have an appreciation for the important role of the printing press in spreading God’s Word.

X Differentiation point: The vocabulary for this topic is quite specialized, and there is a lot of history behind printing, so the Zooming In section contains quite a bit of academic language, so be sure to read slowly and explain any concepts they seem to have difficulty understanding.

X Differentiation point: Many boys will benefit from pictures or printmaking techniques. We include illustrations in the topic guide. You may also find it useful to cut out pictures or bring in samples of different prints if you can locate them.

X Differentiation point: Some boys may learn best by watching, while others learn better by listening; still others learn best by doing. This topic is wonderful to engage all different types of learners. Be sure to both show and tell boys how to proceed as they work, and allow them to try a task several times if they wish!

X Differentiation point: Some boys will be more artistic than others; some will work more quickly than others. Allow the boys to use each other as resources and help each other with their printmaking projects!

X Differentiation point: Boys may come from cultures that have different printmaking techniques or have family or community members familiar with printing. If so, allow the boys to share what they know!

VISTING A WORKING PRINTERDoes your town or city have:

+ A locally produced newspaper?

+ A local printmakers studio or screen printing shop?

+ A living history museum or organization that demonstrates historical printing methods?

+ A maker-space or technology lab with 3D printers and someone who can explain and demonstrate 3D printing to your group?

+ A facility producing high quality or large format photographic prints that can arrange a tour?

If any of these are in your area, contact local organizations and try to arrange a trip for your group to visit and observe! If the boys can have a hands-on experience, that is ideal. Have the boys prepare some questions ahead of time to ask on their trip, and the adult guides should have some ready too!

If you plan a trip, be sure to follow proper protocol for permission and transportation to and from the field trip site.

TOPIC GUIDE: INTRODUCTIONWelcome the boys and read the topic together. There is a lot of history contained in the Zooming In and One More Thing Sections. Be sure to take your time and pause after each paragraph to ask the boys if they have questions

NOTE: All projects require newspaper or tarp to cover the working surface, pencil and paper for designing, access to a sink for washing up (or buckets of wash water), and somewhere to dry the finished prints. We also strongly recommend boys protect their clothing or wear clothing that can get dirty.




GUIDE’S RESOURCES

MATERIALS

¨ Styrofoam trays (like from a grocery store or cafeteria - you can collect and save these, or order them from an online supplier)

¨ Pencils or pens

¨ Colored markers

¨ Plain paper for printing

MATERIALS

¨ MARS or other dense, white rubber nerasers

¨ Xacto® knives, or straight razors if not available

¨ Pencils for designing

¨ Ink pad for stamping


TASK 1This is a good project for the first day, since it is the simplest to complete. It is also recommend that boys with no printing experience begin with this project.

1. Using paper and pencils, they boys should draw a design, logo, or picture that they plan to use. This may take several tries! Remember that any words or numbers need to be reversed—like in a mirror.

2. Transfer it onto the back of the styrofoam tray by tracing from the paper or copying.

3. Then, they should use a pen or pencil to make lines deeper/thicker without breaking the styrofoam.

4. Next, they should push in areas of the styrofoam that they wish to keep white on the paper.

5. Then, using felt-tipped markers, completely cover the styrofoam with marker ink.

6. Carefully press it onto a piece of white paper.

7. They can make multiple versions of print. They should experiment with different colors, and various methods of pressing the paper and the styrofoam tray together.

NOTE: For boys that work more quickly, they can make a second plate to add some detail to the design with darker colors. Then you will have to experiment with how to register your print or ensure that the layers line up correctly. If you wish, provide the boys with a theme or a particular assignment for their pictures. Bring in visual materials for them to use as a guide (books of photographs, drawings, etc).

TASK 21. On paper, have the boys draw an image, logo, or word for your stamp. This may

take several tries! Remember that they must transfer it in reverse (mirror image) if they design is not symmetrical—words and images will be printed in reverse by the stamp.

2. When ready, they should transfer the design to one face of the eraser. One way they can do this is to actually make a kind of a print; they should use very thick application of pencil on the design, press it to the eraser, and then use what is transferred as a guide. Or, cut out the design and trace around it.

3. Then, they will use ink to draw the design more permanently onto the eraser.

4. Very carefully, using an Xacto® knife or the corner of a straight razor, have them make a cut around all the edges of the design.

NOTE: Be very vigilant, as Xacto knives and razors are sharp!

5. Bit by bit, start to remove all the parts of the eraser that are not part of the design.

6. When they have removed everything, they should press the stamp into the ink pad and apply to paper.

7. Adjust as needed.




GUIDE’S RESOURCES

MATERIALS

¨ Small, firm potatoes

¨ Small, sharp knives

¨ Paint

¨ Small tray (to hold paint)

¨ Paper for printing

MATERIALS

¨ Oak tag or repurposed file folders

¨ Pencils

¨ Scissors, Xacto® knives and/or box cutters

¨ Something to protect the cutting surface (if necessary)

¨ Brayers and printing ink OR watercolors and brushes OR tempera paint

MATERIALS

¨ Oak tag or repurposed file folders

¨ Cardboard

¨ Strong glue

¨ Brayers and printing ink (preferable) OR tempra paint and sponges


¨ Optional: interesting textures such as bubble wrap, cardboard, screening, etc.

TASK 2 ALTERNATIVEStamp from a potato (good for a younger group who can’t safely handle Xacto® knives)

1. Plan a simple shape or design for your potato stamp.

2. Slice the potatoes in half and draw the shape onto the cut side.

3. Then, using a small knife, cut away all the potato leaving just a shape in the middle.

4. Next, dipping the potato into a tray that has a shallow layer of paint, use it to make prints.

5. Experiment with making patterns using repetitions of one or more shapes and different colors of paint.

TASK 31. Plan out a design with pencil on the oak tag.

2. When the design is complete, have them very carefully cut it out. Start by cutting out the center, and work your way outwards.

3. Place your stencil on top of another paper, and then use either a roller with ink or a sponge dipped in paint (or fairly thick watercolor paint) to apply color carefully and all around your design.

4. Lift the stencil and admire! If they need to try again, they can adjust either the stencil or the color application method.

NOTE: Boys who are more advanced or quickly grasp the method can also make a second stencil to add details in another color to their design. For example, if they make a bird, they could add eyes and some detail of wings into the body. If they make a cityscape, they could add stars to the sky, or windows to their buildings.

TASK 4With collograph printing, the boys build up layers on the printing plate, and then apply ink to the whole thing and press your paper onto it. They will want a dimensional surface, but not so thick that the paper can’t conform to the plate.

1. Cut a piece of stiff cardboard that will be the base for your printing plate.

2. Then, plan a design or image that will fill most of the plate

3. Using layers of stiff, thick paper, build up the design starting with the largest shapes and moving inward. Finer detail will be provided by smaller shapes that you stack on top. Use at least 3 or 4 layers, but they can do as many as they want! Some parts of the image may have more layers than others. They boys can experiment with using some textured materials other than paper for details- as long as it is relatively flat.




GUIDE’S RESOURCES4. Glue the design firmly down to the plate, one at a time. They should not use too

much glue, or it will take too long to dry.

5. Press the layers firmly together to be sure that they adhere well. They should focus on gluing at the edges of each layer so they don’t pull up later. They might consider placing something heavy like a book on top to weigh it down.

6. Once the glue has had time to firmly attach the layers, they can start to experiment with using it to print. They may either use a roller and printing ink, or a sponge to apply a thin even layer of paint, and then press the plate onto a piece of paper. Make sure that they are pressing all parts of your plate and paper together!

7. Lift off the paper and then let them experiment with the amount of ink/paint that they are applying to get an effect they like.

CLOSING TASK: GUTENBERG BIBLEAlthough printing techniques allow us to experience beautiful artwork and crafts, it is the printing of the Gutenberg Bible that demonstrates God’s handiwork on Earth. For the first time, the Word of God was available to many people and could be printed much faster than ever before.

Take a moment to reflect on the gifts God gives us: our intelligence, our inventiveness, and our creativity. Gutenberg used these talents to glorify God and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

As you close, lead the boys in asking them to think about their unique talents. If you wish, ask each boy to name the talent of another boy in the group (be sure that each boy’s talents are recognized!). Pray that each boy might use his talents for God’s glory.

Documents

TE BI PITE - nhqced.com · Using larger printing presses (rather than just pressing the plate and the paper together by hand) also allowed people to produce a much greater volume