Messy Monday - Three Printmaking Lessons

Printmaking is defined as a copy made by printing.  Printmaking can be multiple prints or just one print.  The options for materials and results are endless - it's just a great medium to work with.  Today I'm going to show you three simple printmaking lessons that go beyond potato prints.  

I love doing prints with kids because for some reason it always seems like magic to them.  I think that the best way to create this magic is to use everyday items in different and unexpected ways, so here we go.

1.  Shaving Cream/Tempera Paint Prints - Marbleized Paper
Here are the supplies:

Spread a thin layer of shaving cream on the rimmed cookie sheet:

Spread tempera paint on top of the shaving cream - like this:

Use the combs, paintbrushes, whatever to create a pattern on top of the shaving cream, like this:

Place a piece of paper on top of the pretty goop, like this:

Carefully pull it off and allow to dry.

2.  Tempera Paint/String/Marble/Found Object Prints
Here are the supplies:

Put some paint on a tray, like this:

Dip string and/or other found objects into the paint and drag on paper - "printing" the object(s) on the paper:

Let kids paint and print as long as they are still interested and allow to dry:

3.  Monoprint - mono stands for one, so this is a something that is printed one time and is one of a kind.
Here are the supplies (tempera paint, paintbrushes, cookie sheet, sheet of paper - white or color):

Put paint on the cookie sheet like this (any colors, small dabs of paint):

Let kids spread the paint around the cookie sheet with there brushes, experimenting with color mixing and "drawing" in the paint like this:

Lay large sheet of paper on the cookie sheet:

Have kids press the paper into the paint:

Carefully pull the print off the paint and you have a one-of-a-kind monoprint:

So try one or try them all - they are easy, use simple materials and FUN!  Here are a couple ways to take the prints beyond the prints.

1.  Mini books - fold printer paper in half, fold painted paper over printer paper, cut off excess and staple a binding.

2.  Note cards - cut out shapes and glue down to brightly colored paper or just turn the printed paper into a notecard.

3.  Shape Collage - cut out shapes and glue down to another piece of paper.

I'm linking this up to Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land, Show and Tell Sunday Blog Hop at Pink and Green Mama, and Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog.