Middle School German Expressionist Linocuts

For our printmaking unit, 7th and 8th grade students in World Art class studied the woodcuts of German Expressionist artists and completed 6" linocuts in this style.

We began by viewing woodcut portraits from the following artists: Max Beckmann, Käthe Kollwitz, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, George Grosz, and Otto Dix. Students discussed the composition and style of these works, identifying adjectives to describe the style. Favorite answers included "rough," "contrasting," "textured," "sharp," and "choppy." Students noticed that the works did not seem to have a happy feeling, and that the faces were not intended to be beautiful or proportionate.

Practice: Using 6"x6" sketch paper and thick black markers, students made three or more practice sketches. A thick black marker drawing can achieve almost the same effect as a linocut, so students had to find the means to use texture to create areas of dark, medium, and light values. They were asked to draw one face, one flower, and one fruit or vegetable from my "fake plastic still life food" basket!

The Linocut: Students chose their favorite sketch to transfer to a piece of linoleum. We carved using #2 and #3 sized blades only to maximize textural effects. Students are in the process of printing an edition of two quality print on paper (it usually takes a few more tries to get those two perfect prints!). Each student is also printing on a 9" square of burlap as well as multiple prints on a 12" ceramic tile.

A few early finishers:

Linoleum Reduction Print Lesson

They're finished! Watching these reduction prints develop has been fascinating. This is a project that just doesn't seem to "look right" for most of the process; but then, the last layer of ink is applied, and all of a sudden, the image comes together.

For those who may be unfamiliar with a reduction print, here is an outline of the process we used in this lesson.

Preparatory work:
1. Students chose an image using photographic resources. They were encouraged to seek high-contrast images with interesting textures, simple backgrounds, and unique compositions.
2. After creating a sketch in the exact scale of their final print, the drawing was flipped upside down and transferred to Easy-Cut linoleum (if you scribble on the back of the sketch, the graphite transfers easily to the block's surface). We re-traced the image in permanent marker.
3. Students chose 4-5 colors and colored in their original sketch on paper to map out their layers.

Reduction printing:
1. Ink the uncarved block with your lightest color. Pull five identical prints (actually... it is a very good idea to pull extra prints in case one of them doesn't turn out in a later step).
2. Wash your block. Referring to your sketch, use a gouge tool to carve away any area you wish to remain the original color that you printed.
3. Print your second color, making sure that you register (align) the block perfectly to your original print.
4. Repeat, carving away the areas that will remain as color #2 (and so on with each layer).
5. Your last color is (usually) your darkest color of ink. By this time, you will have carved most of the linoleum away. Anything that is left will be printed in this final color. The final step is important in adding clarity to the contour of your forms.

Students completed an edition of five prints each. Each person matted their most successful print of the edition... here are a few examples of the awesome prints from 1st hour!

Reduction Prints on Scratch Foam

High School-level Drawing & Printmaking class began a printing unit several weeks ago. Topic: reduction prints.

Have you ever tried to explain to someone how a reduction print is made?

If so, you might be familiar with the confused expression that usually meets you in response. It is a process that can be tricky to wrap your mind around. After researching different reduction print lessons & methods, I found an answer on a different Art Ed blog: Foam Reduction Prints by "Use Your Coloured Pencils." 

Why not use an elementary-level reduction print as practice? Students were invited to bring in a piece of fruit for breakfast in 1st hour class. If they forgot, I had the plastic fruit & veggies that we use for still life drawing. We printed from 6"x9" Scratch foam. These practice prints took up only two class periods, and now we have moved on to making their more advanced Linocut reduction prints. I can't wait to see how they turn out-- most students are on phase two of printing and the results so far are promising!