Relief Rubbing Lesson Plan
PURPOSE
- Demonstrate alternative use of common materials
- Teach color separation and layering of color from light to dark
- Teach composition building and abstraction using most basic shapes
- Teach difference between high relief and low relief
- Teach project preparation is important
- Element of surprise
MATERIALS
- Cover stock (or heavy paper stock) for printing /base/plate surface)
- Sulfite paper for print paper
- Various sizes of washi tape or masking tape
- Adhesive backed paper to cut into shapes
- Scissors
- Derwent Inktense Blocks
- Optional (bUT Fun!) additional wood-cased color pencils for adding details and focused areas of color
PROCESS
- Decide on your imagery, either take an image from public domain or, make a rough sketch on your cover stock plate, giving you some guidelines. If you choose a copyrighted image, you must fragment it - only using part of the image but give credit to the original artist!
- Cut different lengths of tape and cut sticker paper into desired shapes. Focus on very basic shapes like lines, triangles and circles
- To create a composition; stick the tape and sticker paper shapes to your cover stock plate and continue to build up the surface - achieving different levels of relief or protruding surfaces. When you are satisfied with your surface lay a sheet of sulfite paper over your plate. It is helpful to tape your matrix in place to keep it from slipping
- Begin with a limited color palette 1) First, choose the lightest color of Inktense Block 2) Follow with progressively darker colors 3) Rub using the flat side of the Inktense Block onto the sulfite print paper.
- Experiment with basic principals of color separation by 1) Making multiple matrix plates for different colors 2) Have your class share their plates amongst the group for a variety of textures
- Also, try various color combinations in different areas of the rubbing
- Don't forget to sign your work and have fun!!!