How to Monoprint for a Kids' Art Class
Monoprints are a way to introduce printing to a child's art class. Each design will be different. Experimenting with shapes and patterns through monoprinting is a good way to play with paint in a non-threatening manner. There's no one right way to make a design in the paint. One student may draw a fish or a cat; another will enjoy just making marks with different tools to create an abstract piece of finished art. Everyone can start with the same material and color paint, but end up with a unique monoprint.
Things You'll Need
- Plexiglass
- Brayer
- Acrylic paint
- Paper
- Scratching tools, toothpicks, cardboard, plastic forks or combs
Instructions
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Give each child a piece of plexiglass. Glass companies or window shops sometimes donate their scraps to use in art class. Small pieces, around 6 to 8 inches, are manageable for young children and beginners.
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Drop a quarter-size amount of paint on the plexiglass. Have the student use the brayer to slowly spread the paint, using a front-and-back motion and then from side to side, until the entire piece of plexiglass is covered with a thin, even layer.
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3
Use scraping tools to draw a design in the paint. A piece of heavy cardboard or toothpicks can be used as drawing tools; a comb or plastic fork can make several marks at once.
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4
Gently lay a sheet of white paper over the image, pressing slightly to pick up the print. Remove from one corner in an even manner. Lay the monoprint on a clean surface to let it dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Set a second sheet of paper on the plexiglass to see if you can pull another image. This faint print can be embellished with other art supplies once dry.
Use two or three colors of paint to make a colorful monoprint.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit watercolour monoprint image by pdtnc from Fotolia.com
