Friday, July 9, 2010

Artist Trading Cards

I have been having a great time this summer sharing printmaking on a small scale with kids through the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma County. I have almost visited all of the local libraries and the attendance has been great.

It has also been a big reminder in the fact that not all children are exposed to art. But they are hungry for it. My last visit a child ran after me at the end, hugged me and pleaded, "Please say you'll come back Miss Erin!" Heartstrings pulled!

I have been teaching printmaking and we have been making Artist Trading Cards, or ATC's. To keep cost down we are using craft paint, and brushes instead of inks and brayers. I start by supplying the kids with a small foam rectangle cut from foam plate (the size of our ATC), pencil, flat paintbrush, water dish, paper towels and 6 blank cards. Workstations are set up on newsprint to keep mess to a minimum.

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I explain the process of using a pencil to draw our design on foam, pressing hard. We discuss our cards printing in reverse so any writing needs to be backwards.

I set them loose to draw then invite them to a front table of supplies to choose paints using a plate as palette.

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At their workstation they used a flat brush to lightly coat their foam with paint. They use a pencil to go back over their valleys (lines they drew) if it filled with paint. They press their first card and voila! First card done. We talk about the first print being the artists proof. It shows us where we might have gone wrong and allows us a chance to learn and make changes for the rest of our printing run.

My example, draw on foam, cover lightly with paint and printed for my cards to trade with the kids.

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The kids made many cards and at the end have the opportunity to exchange cards with one another. We had so much fun. Here are a few examples from my last visit. Have fun!

You will need:
-craft paint
-flat paint brush
-pencil
-foam for printing
-cards or paper
-water bowl for rinsing brush

Some of our works!

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7 comments:

Mrs. Hahn said...

I do trading cards too. Consider this project during the school year. If we have similar class sizes maybe we can do a printed ATC with our classes and do a trade. Would your kids love to have a 'art pal' in Minnesota? Your blog is wonderful and I love stopping by. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

If interested in the trade, email me at nicholechahn@yahoo.com

Erin Laughpaintcreate said...

Nichole,

I LOVE the idea of trading but I am not in a permanent classroom situation. Thinking here...I will e-mail you to discuss! :)

Anonymous said...

i love this! i've included this in my weekly inspiration roundup, blogged here:
http://www.camilledawn.com/2010/07/tuesday-tumblr-5.html

Anonymous said...

p.s. what about a swap hosted via your blog?

I. Vybot said...

Thanks for sharing this information ..i love trading this will helps me alot in trading ..i like your idaes keep it up .it will help lots of people

Erin Laughpaintcreate said...

Camille, sorry I am just now getting to this! I just don't feel I can organize a swap yet, at least not until school starts. My boys won't give me two minutes to myself! :) Thanks for giving me the idea and the feature on the roundup. If I organize a swap this fall I will credit you and let you know.

Thanks everyone!

Erin

Anonymous said...

What an awesome idea for printmaking - I wanted to do printmaking with my art class and this gives a great context.
Thanks for sharing the idea!