Printmaking — Art, 4–6 years
Printmaking transfers a design from one surface onto another, often more than once. Art, 4–6 years.
What printmaking does
In printmaking, you make a design on one object, add a little paint or ink, and press it onto paper. The paper receives a copy of the design. Leaves, sponges, potatoes and foam can all become simple printing tools.
Why print?
Drawing the same picture again can be tiring, and the copies may not match. Printers found a way to keep one prepared design and use it several times. Printmaking solves this by making repeated images, while small changes in pressure or colour can keep each one special.
Print with a leaf
Choose a dry leaf with clear veins. Brush a thin layer of washable paint onto its veined side. Place it paint-side down on paper, cover it with another sheet and press with your palm. Lift the leaf carefully: its veins should make a print.
A common mix-up
It is reasonable to use lots of paint because more colour looks stronger on a brush. In printing, too much paint fills the tiny spaces and makes a blurred shape. A thin, even layer and steady pressure usually show the design more clearly.
Prints in daily life
Printed designs appear on wrapping paper, clothes, cards, wallpaper and bags. A factory may print the same picture many times, while an artist may make a small set of prints by hand. Printing is useful when a design needs to travel to many places.
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