To get started on this exciting printmaking unit, second graders did observational drawings of rubber insects, paying close attention to replicating the details they saw through different uses of line (short lines, crossed lines, curved, diagonal etc.) For inspiration, students became familiar with the life and work of current Latin American artist and print maker Rimer Cardillo. In the 1970's Cardillo started to create artwork in an effort to protest violence occurring against everyday citizens, himself included, by a militant regime. During this time, Cardillo's artwork often combined photography with printmaking and would feature enlarged insects with bright colors to invoke a science fiction feeling.
Rimer Cardillo
Rimer Cardillo, Cicadas Dog Day Announcer, 1978-1979
Rimer Cardillo, Cicadas and Moths, 1980-1981
For our own prints, we traced our observational insect drawings onto a piece of foam and then redrew all of the lines we saw with a dull pencil, to make sure our design was pressed deep enough into the foam. Next, we rolled ink over our foam plates and pulled up to three prints each making sure to have clean fingers at all times! Students were thrilled to see how much better their final print were after they became comfortable with the amount of ink that needed to be applied. The next class, students cut out their prints with funky scissors, labeled properly and mounted to a colored paper. We even had time to write a song, story or poem about their insect.
Before the bell rang, students scuffled around the room trading prints with their fellow artists!
Drawing plastic insects from observation.
Students roll ink onto their plates.
Student Artwork
No comments:
Post a Comment