Screen Printing
Screen Printing
Topic: Visual Arts Careers
Empowerment Lesson Video: Visual Arts Careers
Supplies:
- Transparent sheet protectors, one per student
- Simple graphic photos, a variety of options for students to choose from
- Washable markers
- Paper
Video Discussion:
Ask, “What does the phrase ‘visual arts’ mean?”
Allow students to turn and talk to a partner. Then have students come together to share their ideas.
Form a class definition of the term “visual arts”. For example, “artistic activity involving the act of telling stories through things we can see such as photography, art, videos and movies.”
Explain that there are a variety of careers within the visual arts field. Note that all require creativity and the ability to share ideas and feelings with others.
Have students name people they know personally or who they have heard of who have careers as visual artists.
Tell the students they will be watching the video Visual Arts Careers. Explain that the video presents role models talking about why the field of visual arts is a good career choice.
After watching the video, use some or all of the following questions to discuss the video content and prepare for the activity:
- What visual arts careers sound the most interesting to you? The least interesting?
- What is a photography curator and what kind of work do they do?
- How it is possible to use artwork to tell a story?
- How would you feel if your artwork was on display for all to see?
- What does it mean when we talk about someone’s “authentic voice?”
- How is being a visual artist like being a magician?
- Besides exploring the Career Girls website, what are some other ways you can learn more about career possibilities as a visual artist?
Activity Instructions:
This activity introduces students to screen printing, a technique used by visual artists to create unique prints. Students will explore how images can be transferred from one surface to another, just like professional printmakers do.
Want to create art in a whole new way? In this activity, you’ll use a simple printing technique to make cool, one-of-a-kind images. Grab your markers and get ready to see your designs come to life!
- Gather the supplies you will need including a transparent sheet protector, a few photos that look interesting to you, paper, and markers.
- Slide one of the photos you chose inside the sheet protector.
- Use markers to trace the photo. Be careful not to touch the ink on the sheet protector while you are tracing!
- Place a blank sheet of paper on top of the sheet protector. Press down firmly.
- Life the paper off of the sheet protector and check out the image you created!
- As time allows, try Steps 2-5 with a different photo or even make a freehand drawing on the sheet protector in Step 3 instead of tracing a photograph.
- If you enjoyed this process, consider exploring other printmaking techniques such as stencil printing or relief printing. Share your favorite prints with the class or take them home to show your family!
