Profile Project.

A photograph of each students profile is taken and printed. Students are asked to cut out their image and save both parts of the newly created stencil.  

We move to the mono printing table where using rollers technically refered to as burnishers, students paint their tablet. First, we make four prints using the profile cut out of the head as the first stencil to create a profile with a color backdrop, then the contrary. Using both parts of the cut out emphasizes how a stencil works and students are familiazed with the mono printing technique. 

Landscapes, Shapes and Fruit. 

Lazaro draws four various landscapes: City, Desert, Mountains and Marsh and prints out copies. Students select which landscape they would like to print and cut out the image to first create the stencil. 

Students are asked to associate color and texture to each landscape. Once their tablet is painted, they use qu-tips to draw lines, shapes and patterns, creating lines in the paint. The result is a print of a landscape with a textured backdrop.

Shapes: Heart, Star, Bird and Flower

The same method is applied using the above shapes as stencils.

Fruit: Tomato and Banana

Lazaro draws a Tomato and a Bananna. Students shoose a fruit and place the image under the plexi-glass, instead of rolling the paint onto the glass with a burnisher, they trace the fruit using a paintbrush. Place paper over the painted plexi-glass and is pressed through the machine. 

SUMMER CAMP AT THE SOUTH FLORIDA ARTS CENTER, MIAMI BEACH.

Week 2: Embossing and Mono type Printing

 The little artists enter their second week and have become familiar with the large steel mono printing machine. To expand upon their knowledge of the press Lazaro teaches the class about ‘Embossing’, another form of monotype printing. 

 Embossing is an effect used to create a monoprint. It uses collage to create a multi layered and textured surface to make the base template for print. Instead of using the plexi glass, students are asked to create their own pallet using various papers cut out stencils, string and ‘Modge Podge’. Modge Podge is similar to glue but differs in coating and protecting the board against water and adding to the thickness and texture.

 Monday

Students are asked to focus on creating a collage with emphasis on texture. They are each assigned two pieces of paper to cut out shapes sketched by Lazaro.

 They then sketch their own designs and cut them out too.

 Accomplished, it’s time to lacquer cardboard pallets in Mod Podge, paste down shapes and create a collage effect until there is minimal surface area. String is handed out and applied wherever necessary.

 Tuesday

 This process is repeated on the reverse side of the board only this time using letter cut outs with the vision of merging letters and text with color and artistic vision. Now our little visionaries have a doubled sided pallet and are ready to get painting.

 Wednesday

 Using the side created on Monday, artists use burnishers (rollers used to apply paint) and paintbrushes to color the collaged cardboard. Once complete, a piece of paper is placed over the board and rolled through the printing machine to create an embossed monotype print.

 Thursday

 Using the letter collage side of the board, students are asked to think of a word to enhance their art. Students pick out letter stencils to spell their name, favorite phrase or color. Taking care to spell the words backwards they place their letters over the board and ink over the stencil. The board, under the letter stencil, under a piece of paper is rolled under the big print press to create word inspired art, lots of it!

 Friday

 The end of the two-week camp has arrived and the day is spent preparing for our ‘Art Show’ where parents have the opportunity to walk around the print room and see all the artwork created.

 Students pick their favorite prints from each project and with our assistance; focus on presentation, choosing colored construction paper as a backdrop frame to display artwork. Children are given the opportunity to use stamps of various calligraphy and design to add finishing touches to artwork.

 Children leave the camp little artists complete with portfolios.