In kindergarten, we learned about collagraphs and printing multiples. This lesson is a great way to clear out some space in the supply closet to get rid of excess materials. The plate was recycled cardboard donated by parents and families of the students. The materials added to the plates consisted of cardboard scraps, foam shapes, ribbon, pipe cleaners, mesh fabric, and rug backing--anything I could find that would add low-key texture and variety to their prints. The students learned non-representational versus representational art (or, picture versus non-picture) and a basic printmaking process of ink, layer paper, and hand-press. We glued the prints down onto a larger sheet of paper and the students added a patterned border. This last step inspired me to come up with an Andy Warhol print series for older students, which I hope I can do in school soon. I might just do it myself.
**This lesson was very procedural and I was unsure of how it would go, especially with kindergartners. So, I took a ton of pics, more than the other lessons on this site, and I think this was one of my favorites I have taught so far because I wanted to teach printmaking but was limited on tools and space. The students had a blast making them as well!
Materials: black tempera paint, paintbrushes, cardboard from cereal boxes (not corrugated--but that would add a cool texture...hmm...), various scrap materials, foam shapes, glue, scissors, 16 x 20 sheets of paper, grease pencils.
Building the collagraphs.
Inking the collagraphs.
Printing multiples.
Laying out the prints for mounting.
Adding a border.
My inspiration for an Andy Warhol Collagraph unit.
