Objective:
To learn about positive and negative space, patterns, contrasts, and composition.

Materials:

• 5"X8" mat board
• Small geometric shapes cut out of mat boards
• Scissors
• White glue
• Waterbased Speedball printmaking ink
• 3" or larger printmaking brayer
• 11"X15" sheet of Plexiglas
• Construction paper

Introduction:
Oftentimes when we think of art, we think of paintings, sculpture, or drawings. Artworks where only one, or an original, was created. Printmaking contrasts with this conception of art. The printmaker creates a printing plate and several artworks are printed from it, not just one original. When a printmaker prints a number of prints, it is called an edition. The prints are signed by the printmaker and numbered in fraction form. The top half of the fraction notes what order the print was pulled from the plate, for example 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. The bottom half of the fraction notes how many total prints were created in the edition. The first print of an edition of 100 prints would be labeled as: 1/100. Often times a printmaker will destroy the printing plate by marking it with an X. The printmaker will then print that destroyed plate to show no other editions may be made by the plate. This proves the edition is limited to the number originally printed.

Directions:
1. Design an image on the mat board printmaking plate by moving the geometric mat board scraps around until satisfied with your design. The raised pieces will eventually print the color of the printmaking ink. The flat lower areas will remain whatever color paper on which you choose to print. Please note: do not stack the geometric shapes in height. Keep them at the same level! Remember as well that your image will be reversed in the printing process.
2. Carefully pick up each geometric shape and put white glue on the back of it. Glue each piece down flat on the printmaking plate. Let this dry completely before printing.
3. Roll the waterbased printmaking ink out on the sheet of Plexiglas with the brayer, or roller. The ink will act slippery at first. When the ink begins to hiss and appears to have scales, it has the correct amount of tack to roll onto the printmaking plate.
4. Roll the ink evenly on the printmaking plate. The higher areas will ink and the lower areas will not.
5. Place a sheet of construction paper on top of the inked, printmaking plate. Gently rub the surface of the paper to help the ink transfer from the plate. A baren or a flat wooden spoon helps with this process. Professional printmakers use a printing press to make the ink transfer from the plate to the paper.
6. Pull the print off the printmaking plate by the corner. Let the print dry.
7. To pull another print, ink the plate again. If you print an edition, remember to number and sign the prints.

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