Project # 11 Print It!

The inspiration to do Easter eggs for this project came from a children's book entitled The Easter Egg Farm. History about printmaking was also introduced by a PowerPoint. I began by designing a decorated Easter egg on a sheet of drawing paper to be used as a template. I then transferred the image to a foam tray that was the same size as the drawing paper template. I transferred the image to the foam tray by tracing its features with various types of carving sticks. This step represented the engraving and/or etching that is done on metal plates in traditional printmaking. I was cautioned to be careful that if I wanted any written letters on my

egg to do them backwards on the foam tray so they could be read correctly on the print. I also had to keep in mind to make the recessed lines/designs fairly deep being careful not to put a hole in the tray. This would result in a more defined print. I then covered my foam tray with ink with a roller that had been rolled in ink in a separate tray. I tried to make sure that the ink was evenly applied to the foam tray. Next, I firmly and evenly pressed a sheet of paper onto my ink-covered foam tray. I did the "corner test" (lifting one corner at a time to check for even distribution of the ink) to assure that the print was completed. After washing the ink from my carved foam tray, I repeated the process with 3 other colors of ink. I placed my prints on a drying rack to dry overnight. The next day I trimmed the excess paper from my prints and mounted them onto a large sheet of construction paper.

I could use this ink print project as an extension project in social studies when my class is studying the history of print. This would fit nicely as we learn about the first printing presses and the amount of labor involved in the initial printing processes. This would also work nicely to introduce a compare and contrast writing assignment on the development of printed materials.