Three Part Printmaking Project...

This is one of my all time favorite printmaking projects. 

It is a simple and easy way to get you kids interested in printmaking. 

Everyone's print turns out looking amazing!

The first thing you will need is Insulation Foam Core Board. You can get it at Lowes for about $20 a sheet. It will last forever and it is reusable so the cost is minimal. You can order something similar  HERE from amazon. I got the board in the photo from Lowes to create sets for our school play Annie, which we did in March of 2018. 

Click HERE view this at Lowe's

It is very easy to cut this stuff using a utility knife. I cut mine to 2 x 3 in squares. Or what every breaks off...

Use rubber bands to wrap around the block. I have regular and latex free rubber bands.

Click HERE for the latex free rubber bands on Amazon.

Wrap the block randomly, use only 1 or 2 bands. More than that will cause some of the bands not to print.

This 1st block should be printed in black. 

You can hold the block in your hand and ink it.

Press down on the block and slowly rock it in a circle to get all the sides printed.

I do a single line print right down the middle of the paper. 

I like to use 6 x12 or 6 x18 inch 90 lb weight paper. 

After printing just throw the block into the sink and wash it with a little soap.

You can reuse the block and the rubber bands.

Dry the block off and get it ready for the next step.

Next you will need foam craft sheets. Cut the foam sheets into small strips and use tacky glue to attach them to your block. 

Click HERE to get Craft tacky glue on Amazon. Click HERE to get the foam sheets. You can also get the foam sheets at the Dollar Tree. There are also foam sheets that already have a sticky back but they cost a little bit more.

I save all my foam sheet scraps to use on other projects. 

I use cheep plastic place mats to roll the ink on. You can pick this up at Walmart for about .85 each. They are amazing because they are washable and last forever.

These things are perfect for inking mats. I have had this set for years. Make sure you get ones with out any texture.

They just wash clean!

I teach the kids to always roll in one direction and in a small square. 

I say "the square is your friend" about 1,000 times during the inking process.

The top square is for inking and the lower square is to even out the ink on the brayer.

Now ink the block 

Print right on top of the rubber band prints.

Print right up the middle

The next step is carving. If your kids are not ready to use carving tools you can use other items to print with. Click HERE to order this spiral stamp...

Click HERE to order this spiral stamp...

If you choose to try craving it is actually very easy. I have all my carving tools numbers 1 to 25. There has to be 25 tools lined up before anyone leaves my room. 

The kids also have to work in partners. One is watching for safety reasons while the other carves. Then they switch. I have the kids use a #3 or #4 sized Speedball carving tool. The number of the carving tool determines the size, the larger the number the wider the carving blade.

I got my carving tools from Dick Blick.

You can trim off the corners for the kids if you want a more rounded look.

Now you are ready to ink and print your carved stamp. Remember when you are rolling out the ink "the square is your friend".

Start at the bottom and print right on top of the last layer when it is dry.

Print right up the middle.

This is the first one I ever did.

I think you will also love your results!

William H. Thielen

This is my inspiration piece. It is from this really great Mixed-Media/Printmaking book by Sarah Riley

Click HERE to get this amazing book on Amazon

Red Innertube by Sarah Riley

When I am printing I always keep my art journal open to print off the extra ink.