This charming one-of-a-kind flower created by Robin D.With monoprints, only one print can be made from each original design, but you can repaint the printing surface and draw as many new designs as you like! Students of all ages will enjoy charming results. Remember that any words or letters you write will print in reverse!
- Aluminum foil (a little larger then the paper you want to print on)
- Masking tape
- Tempera paint (in whatever color you want your print to be)
- Paper plate for palette
- 1” Foam brush
- Q-tip (or other dull drawing instrument)
- Paper to print on
- Baby wipes
Directions:
1. Tape a piece of aluminum foil onto your work surface, or better yet, cover a piece of cardboard with foil so you can turn it different directions. (You can also use plexiglass or any other “wipeable” surface.)
2. Lay your paper onto the foil and trace around it with a pencil.
3. Then place masking tape around the inside of the shape you just traced. (This will give you a clean border around your finished print, and a place where you can pick it up without getting paint on your fingers.)
4. Pour a little paint onto your paper plate palette.
5. Paint inside your taped off area. Try not to get any paint on the tape, but if you do, just carefully clean it off with a baby wipe.
6. Now use a Q-tip to draw a simple design in the paint.
7. Place your paper over the taped area (if you are making a card, check to be sure it will open the right direction!) and press down firmly. Rub well with your fingers!
8. Carefully peel away your paper and set your print aside to dry.
9. Repaint your foil and draw another design to make your next print!
Love this idea. I keep thinking that printmaking is hard work but you make this look easy!
Thanks, Kathy! I've gotten so many great ideas from you, I'm glad that one of mine has been helpful to you! :)
When I taught preschool we used to let the kids fingerpaint on the table, make a picture and pick it up from the image on the table with a paper
What a great idea! I bet they LOVED it!!
I just came across your blog and I love it already! I have been looking for a fun project to do for our fun weekly cousin camp and I thought this would be perfect. How long does it usually take from start to finish?
Thanks for your great ideas!
You could really spend as little time or as much time as you want. It doesn't take long at all to make a single print with this method, but it's so much fun that they probably won't want to stop with just one!!
Great idea. Love it! Thanks Kathy
This is a great tutorial. I always wondered how you create a monoprint.
wonderful idea! i wanted to do these with my class last year but couldn't figure out the best way to do it.
this looks simple. i think i'll give it a go.
thanks for sharing!
That looks supereasy but very professional! Need to try it with my two girls (5 and 2 yrs).
I'll let you know, how it worked out!
Greetings from Germany,
Tanja
:-)
Did this today with my kids, ages 5, 3 1/2, and 2… all 3 loved it, and were able to do it without too much help from me! Can't wait to hang all of their pieces up (can't say that about everything they make, haha)!
This is great! I hope to use something like this with my students. THANKS A TON!!!!!
Very cool! I wonder if this would work with acrylic or finger paint? I don't have tempera at home, but I do have acrylic and finger paint. We tried doing prints with meat trays, but it was a complete failure. This looks like something we can do!
My 3 year old daughter is always wanting to do a “project”, so I love your blog!
This should work well with either finger paint or acrylics…. you just want to make sure that the paint doesn't dry before you make your print! I'm glad your daughter loves to do projects… have fun!!
Hi There,
We used this idea today, and the kids LOVED it!! I posted some of the results here: http://artwithmrssmith.blogspot.com/2010/06/4th-of-july-printmaking.html
Thanks again, enjoy your blog lots!
tisha
I just happened across your blog and I'm so happy I did! I am a pre-k teacher and so looking forward to trying this in class next week. Thank you!
What a simple design idea, great for kids. The earlier children learn to design the easier it will be for them to have the confidence to progress with their talents later on. Thanks for the great post.