reduction block prints

The teen class explored a printmaking project where they created reduction prints.

cactus, 12 year old

Using soft blocks, each student came up with a design and then worked out how to block the colors for carving.

feather, 14 year old

Starting with carving out all the areas they wanted left white, they began to print.

winter cabin, 12 year old

Then after creating at least five prints, they subsequently cut out each section of the block they wanted to remain the color they just finished printing until they ended up with just the parts they wanted printed black.

spirit bear, 14 year old

I had each student create at least five prints in order to allow a the learning curve and still ending up with at least one final print they were happy with since they were printing on the same five pieces of paper after each and every carving. In order to make them a little more confident, I always told them to start with the print they liked the least and work up to their favorite in order to give them the time to make sure they "got it right" without so much worry about ruining their best piece.

However I also told them to expect that their favorite piece would change throughout the printing process, which happened to each of them, and so to re-eavulate after each set of prints the order they would do the next printing step.

I can happily say that all the students ended up with more than one print they were pleased with in the end.

Truthfully I think the "mistakes" are as lovely as the ones where the piece turned out as expected.

Take this prints where the student accidentally placed the printing plate upside down.

I love the abstract quality of this print and in my mind is still a huge success even though it was not what was expected.

I also love this one where the student forgot to add the orange.

Here is a series of prints that although were not the original expectation, still make very interesting and beautiful final prints.

Winter House, 12 year old

And here is his final piece that he was most happy with at the end. Stunning.

In British Columbia, there are spirit bears. They are albino black bears that hold a special place in the heart of the citizens of our province. This student used the bear as the subject for her prints but needed to brainstorm a bit to figure out how to identify the bear as a spirit bear and not just a polar bear. I love her solution of adding a halo over the head of the bear to state that this is in fact a very special bear here in B.C.

And again, maybe it is me, but I love the off register prints. I love the movement this suggests as the bear is hunting salmon as they jump upstream.

The students' concepts were quite exciting. I loved that this student artist decided to create a series of prints of a poster advertising tourism to aliens to visit earth. 

Alien Tourism Print, 14 year old

Right down to the alien text even! And cities on earth have seen better days as they are now submerged in water.

The purple on the side was again one of those happy accidents that worked out well, but the artist was happiest with this version without it.

Here you can see where she experimented with leaving the text black, but after the first print decided to carve out the text and leave it silver for all the subsequent prints.

I sent the printing plates home with the students because even after they were all carved out, they still worked as beautiful stamps in just black and white.

feather, 14 year old

The movement this artist created in a subject as simple as a feather is lovely. Her prints all came out different and each was  amazing. I think it will be hard for her to pick a favorite.

There was a lot of debate as to whether or not she should even add the black at the end.

And again, even the print off registered looks great in the end.

lotus flower, 11 year old

The was so impressed with how this student simplified her design of the lotus flower. I think the repetition of the bricks is a wonderful element too.

She ended up with a very pretty series. And finally, this cactus series. The vibrant color choices were perfect for her design.

It was a fun and festive group of final prints. I am so pleased that the teens enjoyed this project and were excited at the end of each and every step with the results. They learned so much and were very proud at the end of the project.