Lesson 4

Applying Composition to Engraving

Time
Durati
on
Teach
er

Subject/Gra
Art, Gr. 7
de Level
Unit

Date

Printmaking

April 10, 15
40 min
Claire Peterson

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES

General
Learning
Outcomes:

Students will:
1. Use the techniques of art criticism for analysis and comparison of art
works.
2. Select and identify line, value and texture in the natural and man-made
environment for image making.
3. Experiment with techniques and media within complete compositions of
two and three dimensions.
Specific
1b. knowing the terms for design, media and techniques used in ones
Learning
Outcomes: own compositions helps in descriptions of ones own and others works. \
2a. lines can vary in direction, location, quality, emphasis, movement
and mood.
3c. Two-dimensional materials can be used to make compositions
demonstrating simple pictorial space.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
1.
create a composition with a relief print method
2.
demonstrate an understanding of how line can vary in direction, location,
quality, emphasis and mood.

ASSESSMENTS
Observations:

Key Questions:

Products/Performa
nces:

involvement in defintion of vocabulary terms

particpation in group activities
productivity during work time
What IS a trading card?
How will the size of the plate that you use for your
print change your composition?
How will you consider composition when using this
printmaking technique?
What compositional strategies could be important to
consider?
How can we vary line? (think: direction, location, weight,
thickness, etc).
How can varying our use of line help us direct our
viewers eye around our composition?

- intitial trading card production (take time to discuss this progress in

closure).

LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED

http://education.alberta.ca/media/313007/jhar
t.pdf
- artistradingcards.org

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

- Styrofoam plates
- Ball point bens
- Black paint
- Trading card blanks
- Brayers
- Newsprint, pencils etc.

PROCEDURE
Prior to lesson
Introduction

- Introduce and discuss checklist of expectations for

trading card assignment (see document attached)
- TASK: to create THREE trading cards
1.) for self-assessment, and to hand in
2.) for trading should it be based around a class
decided theme?
- ASK: What IS a trading card?
- First official ATC (artist trading card) trading session
happened in Calgary in 1997.
- Official trading card size is 2.5x3.5
- Trading sessions usually revolve around a theme,
purpose of ATC production is making art to receive
different art, not to make a profit
Day Two

Time

5 min

Time

Consider:
Variety of
Learning Styles

Questioning
throughout

Differentiation
for students

Focused
formative assessment

DEMO: Styrofoam Engraving

1. Consider compositional strategy. Choose between
smaller and larager plates How will your choice of
plate change your cards composition? How could you
consider the negative space after you have pulled your
print?
2. Trace plate circle onto scrap paper, sketch plan for print
within circle
3. Transfer sketch to Styrofoam plate using ball-point pen
and drawing over lines.
4. Remove newsprint drawing. Deepen lines in
Styrofoam. Is there areas you want to emphasize?
5. Ink plate surface using brayer (ink roller), flip print
onto paper using palms to press into the paper evenly to
transfer all inked areas.
ASK: How will you consider composition when using
this printmaking technique? What compositional
strategies could be important to consider? How can we
vary line? How could varying our use of line help us to
direct our viewers eye around our composition?

30 min.

TASK: to begin drawing/planning/executing a relief print

that demonstrates an understanding of how line use can
impact compostion.
Conclusion

- come together as a group to discuss compositional

successes/questions, make sure you leave enough time
for this gives an opportunity to improve
compositions before they get too far!
- return to key questions from above.
- ASK: How do positive and negative space interact
here? What other elements of art do we notice used
differently than the compositions we have been
considering already?

Time

5 min