Lesson Plan: Animal Movement - Linoleum Printing

Animal Movement: Linoleum Printing

1. Description and Rationale:

Utilizing Linoleum block printmaking technique, students will create carvings of animals, real or imagined, into a printing plate. The images will feature animals in implied motion. Students will learn different carving techniques, patterns, and effects to apply to their prints to create the appearance of motion with their animals. Students must complete 5 well-executed prints, creating an edition of original work.

a.      Instructional Concepts

·         Using previously learned drawing techniques to create textures, patterns, positive and negative space treatments, and details.

·         Resources: Characters by Tolkien book, teachers’ samples, google images

2.      Objectives:

General Objectives:

·         Students will learn about linoleum block printmaking technique

·         Students will utilize their prior knowledge of drawing techniques to create original print plates of animals

·         Students will learn how to use linoleum carving tools to mimic drawing techniques and styles

·         Students will learn how to create printmaking plates and pull 5 high quality original prints.

Artistic and Technical Objectives:

·         Students will view drawings in Characters by Tolkien

·         Students will view example linoleum block prints (google images, presentation)

·         Students will create an artwork using drawing paper, pencil, and transfer methods.

·         Students will learn how to transfer their drawing onto their linoleum block.

·         Students will learn how to carve into their linoleum to complete a print plate

3.      Grade Level Content Expectations:

o   ART.VA.II.7.5 Demonstrate reflective thinking practices at an emerging level.

o   ART.VA.II.8.5 Consistently demonstrate reflective thinking practices when identifying, designing, and solving creative problems.

4.      Materials Needed:

·         drawing paper

·         pencil

·         linoleum plate

·         Block printing ink

·         Paint tray for ink

·         Brayer

·         Baren

·         Newspaper

·         Drawing boards

·         Block printing paper

5. Supportive Instructional Activities

·         Internet research

·         Discussion of presentation images

o   Traditional and contemporary linoleum block printing art

o   Short description of traditional process

o   Teacher samples

o   Demonstrations

Process

1.       Discussion of images: traditional and contemporary lino block printing art

2.      Students seek images to work from

3.       Students sketch ideas for drawings

4.      Discussion of positive and negative space usage

5.      Transferring drawing onto linoleum block

6.      Demonstration for linoleum carving, tools, safe tool use

7.       Demonstration for printmaking

8.      Clean up

Drawing Process & Script [Breakdown]:

Brainstorming and drawing:

Script: What animals do you like? What animals move in an interesting way? How would _____ move? How would an imaginary animal move? How do we depict movement in drawings, paintings, carvings? Draw your animal and create textures for fur/scales/skin. Details are key! Make sure that you are addressing the positive and negative space of your image. Anything that you carve out of your image will appear WHITE and linoleum that remains will appear BLACK. You can always add more detail to your print plate after you transfer your drawing to your lino.

Transferring drawings to print plates:

Script: “Today we will learn how to transfer our designs onto our printing surface. Tape your drawing to your linoleum block, face down. This should be done slowly and carefully. Using the back of a spoon press down, hard, onto your drawing and form circles with the spoon. The pressure will transfer your pencil-drawn image onto the surface of the linoleum and give you lines to carve.”

Preparing to print:

Script: “Cover your drawing board in newspaper. Prepare your print surface before inking your plate. Know where you want your print to be on your paper. Make registration marks with tape on your paper, if necessary.”

Printmaking:

Script: “Add a small amount of block printing ink to the tray. Use the brayer to spread an even layer of ink and to take care of any air bubbles in the ink. Apply ink to the front of your plate (the carved side) evenly and carefully with the brayer. Holding your plate by the edges, turn your plate over and line up your stencil with the registration marks on your paper. Use the baren to firmly press down your plate onto your print paper. Remove your plate from the paper CAREFULLY and hang to dry. Repeat process (you need 5 prints total!)”

5. Clean up

6. Display of work and walkabout critiques

5.      Assessment Criteria:

·         Interest inventory completion – along with three inspiration images

·         Well-drawn and designed print plate design

·         Carefully traced and complete print plate

·         5 high-quality prints of each plate design

·         Participation in discussions and informal critiques