ART

LP Lesson Plan
Title of Lesson:
Teacher:
Medium/technique:
Date to be Taught:

ARTE &'(

Printing with Plexi!

Tyler Riordan
Printmaking
3-02-15

Historical information about medium/technique:
From Encyclopedia Brittanica: Printmaking is an art form consisting of the production of images, usually on
paper but occasionally on fabric, plastic, or other material, by various techniques of multiplication, either by
the artist or directed by the artist. Such prints are each considered original works of art, even though they can
exist in multiples.
Engraving is one of the oldest art forms. Engraved designs have been found on prehistoric bones,
stones, and cave walls. The technique of duplicating images goes back several thousand years to the
Sumerians (c. 3000 bce), who engraved designs and inscriptions on cylinder seals (usually made of stone),
which, when rolled over soft clay tablets, left relief impressions. They conceived not only the idea of
multiplication but also the mechanical principle, the roller, which in more sophisticated form became the
printing press.

Key concepts about medium/technique:
Printmaking is typically used to quickly and relatively easily produce multiple copies of an
artwork/print
There are multiple forms of printmaking techniques, all of varying styles and difficulties, and each
may be used to create a series of prints

Fine Arts Goals Met by the Objectives:
!
!

26.A.1e Visual Arts: Identify media and tools and how to use them in a safe and responsible manner
when painting, drawing and constructing. (In this case, printmaking.)

27B- Students understand how the arts shape and reflect history, society and everyday life.

Vocabulary Acquisition: [definitions from Wikipedia.org]

Printmaking: Printmaking is the process of making artwork by printing, normally on paper. The
process is capable of producing multiples of a same piece, which is called a print.
Etching: Etching is traditionally the process of using strong acid to cut into a metal surface to create
a design in the metal.
Intaglio: [type of printing process] Intaglio is the type of printing and printmaking techniques in
which the image is carved or etched into a surface, and the etched line or sunken area holds the ink
that creates the printed image.
Drypoint: Part of the intaglio family of print techniques, drypoint is where the plate, often a metal, is
carved into with a hard-pointed needle. This technique is easier for artists used to drawing, as the
needle is more similar to a pencil than the engravers chisel.
Burr: A burr is a raised edge or small pieces of material remaining attached to a workpiece after its
been scratched/etched.
Applying pressure: Pressing the nail/needlepoint hard into the surface to scratch a deep line.
Crosshatching: Adding tone and shadow with many small, closely set and/or overlapping lines.


Contemporary/Historical/Multicultural exemplars:
Mary Cassatt (18441926) was an American painter and printmaker. She often created images of the
social and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers
and children.
Lesser Ury (1861-1931) was a German Jewish Impressionist painter and printmaker, associated with
the Dsseldorf school of painting.

ART LP Lesson Plan

ARTE &'(

Louise Josphine Bourgeois (19112010) was a French-American artist and sculptor. She was an
influential figure in modern and contemporary art.

Cassat
Ury
Bourgeois

Artmaking Materials Needed:
13 pieces 2 x 3 Plexiglas plates
13 nails (of the hardware variety)
~13 sheets of paper
13 cardboard squares
Printmaking inks (multiple color choices, or just black)
1-3 buckets/ bins of water
Cotton cloth
Newsprint

Procedures:
DISCUSSION: (5 minutes)
o Schedule: Today the lesson will be about printmaking, with a focus on drypoint and etching.
We will be creating one or two small plates using drypoint, and then printing with them.
o Have any of you done printmaking before? What kinds of printmaking techniques come to
mind when you hear the word? Have you done drypoint? Do any of you dislike printmaking?
Why?
o Extremely Abridged History of Printmaking [go over briefly on handout]
o Contemporary/Historical Examples [go over briefly on handout]
o Vocabulary of Printmaking [handout]

DEMONSTRATIONS: (5 minutes)
o Show how line varies depending on pressure- emphasize necessity of burrs. Demonstrate
crosshatching.
o Demonstrate via dry run how to run a plate through the press- the blankets, the protective
newsprint, laying the paper, etc.


DESIGN/WORK SESSION: (25 minutes)
o We are going to create 1 or 2 (given time) small drypoint prints.
o DIRECTIONS FOR STUDIO:
" Put paper in to soak: 10-15 minutes or until damp (this depends on thickness of
paper)
" Design the print you want to create. Can either begin carving/scratching freehand
with your nail immediately, or may want to draw out a small sketch on paper first.
" Be aware that it is difficult to carve organic lines into plastic- may want to consider
when designing/etching.
" You have about 10 minutes to complete your etch.

ART LP Lesson Plan

ARTE &'(

Following etch completion, first remove paper from water bath and set aside. Apply
ink to plate. Remove excess ink with cloth scrap, apply more/remove more as
desired. Clean blank areas with newsprint or your hands.
" Once inked and cleaned, use press to make your print. There will be 15 minutes for
the entire process, allowing for restarts, snafus, and turn-taking.
o Students will work on prints while teacher walks around assisting with technical aspects
when/if necessary.
o Teacher gives 3 minute time warning.
CLEAN UP: (2 minutes)
o Make sure names are on prints
o Put all prints on drying rack
o If plate is to be kept, clean it in the sink. If not, garbage.
o Throw away all newspaper/cardboard breyers/plates with ink
CLOSURE: (3 minutes)
o What did you learn about printmaking today that you didnt know before?
o What might be some possible disadvantages of working specifically with drypoint
printmaking? Advantages?
ASSESSMENT: [separate from class time]
o Check according to simple rubric [see attached]
" Did student etch deeply enough to achieve a print?
" Did student complete printing process?
" Can student understand and explain the process back?

"

VOCABULARY SHEET: PRINTMAKING

All definitions are from Wikipedia.org or abridged from the New Oxford American Dictionary

General Vocabulary

Printmaking: Printmaking is the process of making artwork by
printing, normally on paper. The process is capable of producing
multiples of a same piece, which is called a print.
Etching: Etching is traditionally the process of using strong acid to cut
into a metal surface to create a design in the metal.
Intaglio: Intaglio is the type of printing and printmaking techniques in
which the image is carved or etched into a surface, and the etched
line or sunken area holds the ink that creates the printed image.
Drypoint: Part of the intaglio family of print techniques, drypoint is
where the plate, often a metal, is carved into with a hard-pointed
needle. This technique is easier for artists used to drawing, as the
needle is more similar to a pencil than the engravers chisel.

Making Vocabulary

Applying pressure: Pressing the nail/needlepoint hard into the
surface to scratch a deep line.
Crosshatching: Adding tone and shadow with many small, closely set
and/or overlapping lines.
Burr: A burr is a raised edge or small pieces of material remaining
attached to a piece of metal or plastic after its been scratched or
etched.

ART LP HANDOUT: PRINTMAKING

Historical information about medium/technique:

From Encyclopedia Brittanica: Printmaking is an art form consisting of the production of images, usually on paper
but occasionally on fabric, plastic, or other material, by various techniques of multiplication, either by the artist or
directed by the artist. Such prints are each considered original works of art, even though they can exist in multiples.
Engraving is one of the oldest art forms. Engraved designs have been found on prehistoric bones, stones, and
cave walls. The technique of duplicating images goes back several thousand years to the Sumerians (c. 3000 bce),
who engraved designs and inscriptions on cylinder seals (usually made of stone), which, when rolled over soft clay
tablets, left relief impressions. They conceived not only the idea of multiplication but also the mechanical principle,
the roller, which in more sophisticated form became the printing press.

Contemporary/Historical/Multicultural exemplars:

Mary Cassatt (18441926) was an American painter and printmaker. She often created images of the social
and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers and children.
Lesser Ury (1861-1931) was a German Jewish Impressionist painter and printmaker, associated with the
Dsseldorf school of painting.
Louise Josphine Bourgeois (19112010) was a French-American artist and sculptor. She was an influential
figure in modern and contemporary art.

Cassat

Ury

Bourgeois