Gingerbread prints

2^nd and 3^rd graders learned about the art technique of printmaking. Printmaking is the process of making art by printing on paper using a printing block or plate. Students first drew a gingerbread person and then traced it onto a Styrofoam printing plate. Next students brushed brown paint onto their printing plate making sure to apply it evenly. Then they carefully placed their printing plate onto their colored background, and then used a printing brayer (roller) to transfer the image. Printmaking can be tricky because you have to make sure to apply the paint evenly, not move the plate while transferring your print, and carefully removing your printing plate to get a clean print. The students created four prints in their gingerbread series, so they got lots of practice using this technique. Sometimes art can be more about the process of art making rather than the final product. Students jazzed up the prints that didn’t come out so clearly by outlining in glue and glitter and adding candy canes and snow. They did a great job for their first time at printmaking!