Insect Block Prints

The Fourth Grade students explored the art of printmaking by creating these incredible block prints. They began by designing interesting compositions of insects honing in on the Elements of Art and Design. In doing so they learned how scale, space and texture can be combined to make an eye catching drawing. Next, they transferred their drawings to soft rubber blocks using a graphite rubbing technique and carved out the negative space using linoleum cutting tools. Lastly, they learned how to pull a successful print by coating the block in ink using a brayer (ink roller), and ultimately cropped and mounted them on colored paper. Most students were able to pull two successful prints which they mounted as a diptych work of art.