Transfer Print Lesson Plan

Transfer Prints—Grades 3 to Adult

This printmaking process is suitable for many ages from elementary to adult. Obviously, if working with younger students, you will have to control the set up and clean up differently than with older students.
Aims:
• To explore the transfer process
• To look at examples of work done in this process by artists such as Paul Klee
• To create individual works that express personal meaning or are a response to a given theme such as consumerism, family, night, etc.

Materials/Tools: Plexiglas plate, water soluble black ink, soft brayer, white paper, magazine illustrations, sketches, picture library pictures, old phone book or newspaper for clean printing

Vocabulary: print, backwards print, brayer, monoprint/monotype

Procedure: After showing students examples of transfer prints and discussing how this is a backwards process, demonstrate how to make them. Put out a line of ink on the plate and work it to make a smooth inked surface. Do not put out too much ink or you’ll get a black, blobby print. (Be prepared to have to make a few of these before you get the hang of them.) You may want to blot with a phone book page first.

Method One: Free draw—Lay paper down on inked plate and use a pencil to draw image on back of paper. Be careful not to lay the side of your hand on the paper, unless you want those dark areas to appear.

Method Two: Wipe—After rolling on the layer of ink, wipe areas off, using a soft rag, paper towels, Q-tips, scrapers, etc. Lay the paper down and rub to print.

Method Three—After inking the plate, lay down your paper and put a photo or image on top. Trace the image, being careful not to move the image. You will get a very interesting line drawing of your image. Reink the plate (lightly), and make more.

Reflection/Follow-up: Share the work. Perhaps you can make a class quilt with one work by each student being put together in rows.

Variations: You can have students tear unsuccessful prints and create collages. Try printing on cloth. Try printing on other prints or combining processes. Try using color.