Creative Printmaking Skills

Overview

This lesson plan is designed for Year 9 students, focusing on experimenting with acetate monoprinting. The lesson aligns with the UK Art and Design National Curriculum, exploring techniques, fostering creativity, and encouraging reflective evaluation. The session introduces a new skill and is tailored to engage students in active exploration of materials and processes.

Curriculum Specification

• Key Stage: Key Stage 3
• Area of focus: Become proficient in a range of techniques, using materials creatively, and developing artistic experimentation.
• National Curriculum Goal: Produce creative work, explore and record ideas, and develop proficiency using various tools.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

1. Understand the basic principles and process of acetate monoprinting.
2. Explore experimental mark-making using monoprinting techniques.
3. Create a small, personal test print inspired by an abstract theme.
4. Reflect on and evaluate their own creative process, identifying areas for further improvement.

Keywords/Terms to Introduce:

• Monoprinting
• Acetate
• Mark-making
• Texture
• Abstract Expressionism

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Materials Required

• Acetate sheets (cut to A5 or A6 size, one per student)
• Tubes of water-based printing ink (various colours, prioritising blue, black, white, and earth tones)
• Printing rollers
• Hard plastic or glass palettes for inking
• A stack of cartridge or printing paper (A4 size)
• Cotton buds, paintbrushes, small cardboard pieces for mark-making
• Rubber gloves and aprons/smocks (to avoid ink stains)
• Scrap paper for experimenting
• Cleaning cloths and spray bottles for clean-up

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Lesson Structure – 60 Minutes

1. Introduction & Context (10 Minutes)

1. Engage the students: Start off with a 2-minute visual slideshow or a short discussion showcasing examples of acetate monoprints by notable abstract or contemporary artists (e.g., works inspired by Abstract Expressionism). Highlight the fluid, experimental quality of monoprints.

2. Explain acetate monoprinting: Break the technique down into small steps to make it approachable:

   • Rolling water-based ink onto acetate.
   • Creating textures and marks using tools (cotton buds, brushes, or even fingers).
   • Pressing onto paper to transfer the design.

3. Set the intention: Tell students the goal is to focus on process over perfection. Encourage them to let go of fear of mistakes—they should enjoy playing with marks and textures!

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2. Demonstration (10 Minutes)

• Conduct a step-by-step demonstration at the front of the class. Ensure all students can clearly see.

• Steps to show:

  1. Squeeze a small amount of ink onto the palette and evenly roll it out.
  2. Roll the ink onto the acetate sheet, covering it in a smooth layer.
  3. Use cotton buds, cardboard edges, or fingers to create marks and patterns on the ink layer.
  4. Gently press a sheet of cartridge paper onto the acetate and rub the back with your hand to transfer the print.
  5. Peel the paper back slowly to reveal the final result.

• Reinforce that this process allows for singular prints—no two monoprints are the same, encouraging uniqueness.

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3. Student Task: Experimentation (30 Minutes)

• Step 1: Distribute materials to each student: one acetate sheet, a small palette of ink, and paper. Make sure to guide them to work systematically to avoid ink getting everywhere.
• Step 2: Allow students to experiment with mark-making tools. Ask them to create 3 experimental monoprints, paying attention to:
  1. The types of textures they can achieve.
  2. Playing with abstract shapes inspired by emotions (e.g., 'joy', 'chaos', 'calm').
• Step 3: Encourage some students to layer two colours or experiment with overlapping prints to see the results of transparency or blend.

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4. Reflection and Discussion (10 Minutes)

1. Group Showcase: Ask students to lay out their monoprints on their tables. Conduct a short gallery walk.
2. Self-Evaluation: Prompt students with questions for reflection:
   • "Which mark-making tools worked best?"
   • "What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?"
   • "How do you feel about the abstract shapes you’ve created?"
3. Feedback session: Invite a few students to share their experiences. Use positive reinforcement to highlight innovative ideas or unique textures.

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Extensions/Follow-Up Ideas

• Homework/Next Lesson: Encourage students to combine acetate monoprinting with other media (e.g., drawing over their prints or collaging multiple prints together).
• Cross-curricular connection: Discuss the history of printmaking and its cultural significance (e.g., Japanese Ukiyo-e prints or 20th-century expressionist printmakers).

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Differentiation

1. For advanced students: Encourage exploration of multiple-layered prints or combining prints with fine liner pens for added details.
2. For students requiring additional support: Provide pre-inked acetate sheets to simplify the starting process, or offer ideas for mark-making themes (e.g., 'rain' or 'movement').

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Assessment Criteria

Students' success will be assessed based on their:

• Willingness to experiment and take creative risks.
• Use of techniques demonstrated during the lesson.
• Reflection on the effectiveness of their results and techniques in group discussion.

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Clean-Up Instructions

• Allow 5 minutes for students to clean their workstations.
• Provide gloves and wipes for cleaning ink off acetate sheets so they can be reused.

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Teacher Reflection

After the class, consider:

• Did students fully grasp the monoprinting technique?
• Were all students actively engaged and experimenting freely?
• Were there any unforeseen challenges, and how can the process be adapted?

This engaging and hands-on lesson introduces students to an exciting new medium, fostering creativity and critical thinking while adhering to UK Key Stage 3 curriculum standards.