## Lesson Plan: Printmaking and Mixed Media
### Grade: Year 9
### Duration: 2 weeks (5 sessions, each 90 minutes)
### Topic: Printmaking and Mixed Media
#### Objective:
- Students will explore the fundamentals of printmaking and learn how to create artworks using mixed media techniques.
- Students will understand and apply different printmaking methods, such as monoprints, linocuts, and collagraphs.
- Students will integrate printmaking elements into mixed media compositions, using various materials and techniques.
#### Materials:
- Linoleum blocks
- Linocut tools
- Ink (various colors)
- Brayers
- Printing paper
- Acrylic paint/Watercolors
- Brushes
- Collage materials (newspapers, magazines, fabric scraps)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Pencils and erasers
- Sketchbooks
- Aprons/old shirts for protection
#### Pre-lesson Preparation:
- Prepare and organize the materials needed for printmaking and mixed media.
- Set up printmaking stations for students to work in groups.
- Ensure safety protocols for the use of linocut tools.
### Lesson Plan Breakdown
#### Session 1: Introduction to Printmaking (90 minutes)
1. **Warm-Up Activity (10 minutes)**
- Quick sketch exercise in sketchbooks: Students create simple drawings of everyday objects.
2. **Introduction and Demonstration (30 minutes)**
- Introduce the concept of printmaking and discuss its historical significance.
- Demonstrate the process of creating a monoprint using inks and brayers. Show how different textures and patterns can be achieved.
3. **Hands-On Activity (40 minutes)**
- Students create their own monoprints, experimenting with textures and patterns on printing paper.
4. **Reflection and Clean-Up (10 minutes)**
- Students share their prints and discuss the process and their observations.
- Clean up the workstations.
#### Session 2: Linocut Techniques (90 minutes)
1. **Review and Warm-Up (10 minutes)**
- Brief review of Session 1’s learning. Quick sketch in sketchbooks: patterns or designs that could be used for linocut.
2. **Introduction and Demonstration (30 minutes)**
- Demonstrate the linocut process: transferring a design, safe cutting techniques, and inking the block.
3. **Design and Carve (40 minutes)**
- Students create a design for their linocut and begin the carving process. Encourage safety and take necessary precautions.
4. **Discussion and Clean-Up (10 minutes)**
- Discuss challenges and successes in the carving process.
- Clean up workstations and store linoleum blocks for the next session.
#### Session 3: Print and Mixed Media Integration (90 minutes)
1. **Warm-Up and Review (10 minutes)**
- Quick recap of linocut techniques. Sketchbook activity: plan how a print could be integrated into a mixed media piece.
2. **Print the Linocuts (40 minutes)**
- Complete the linocut prints from the previous session using ink and brayers. Create multiple copies if possible.
3. **Introduction to Mixed Media (10 minutes)**
- Discuss the use of various materials and techniques in mixed media art. Show examples.
4. **Begin Mixed Media Piece (30 minutes)**
- Students start integrating their prints into a mixed media composition, using materials like paint, collage, and drawing tools.
#### Session 4: Developing Mixed Media Artwork (90 minutes)
1. **Warm-Up and Gallery Walk (10 minutes)**
- Gallery walk to view and discuss each other's work from the previous session.
2. **Continue Mixed Media Projects (70 minutes)**
- Students continue to develop their mixed media pieces, with opportunities for individual feedback and guidance.
3. **Class Discussion (10 minutes)**
- Discuss techniques explored and how printmaking and mixed media were combined. Share progress and challenges.
#### Session 5: Finalizing and Presenting Artwork (90 minutes)
1. **Warm-Up and Preparation (10 minutes)**
- Quick sketch or note in sketchbooks: reflect on the process and ideas for final touches.
2. **Final Touches and Completion (60 minutes)**
- Students finalize their mixed media artworks, making any necessary adjustments and refinements.
3. **Art Critique and Presentation (20 minutes)**
- Students present their final pieces to the class, explaining their artistic choices and processes. Class provides constructive feedback.
4. **Reflection and Clean-Up (10 minutes)**
- Reflect on the project experience and discuss learned skills and techniques. Clean up the classroom.
### Assessment:
- Participation in activities and engagement in discussions.
- Quality and creativity shown in monoprints and linocuts.
- Integration of printmaking techniques into mixed media artworks.
- Presentation and explanation during critique sessions.
- Reflection in sketchbooks.
### Homework:
- Sketchbook assignments related to planning and reflecting on their artwork.
- Research on famous printmakers and mixed media artists to inspire their own art. Write a short paragraph on one artist they found interesting.
### Extensions:
- Visit a local art gallery or museum to see printmaking and mixed media works in person.
- Invite a local artist specializing in printmaking or mixed media to give a guest lecture or workshop.
This lesson plan will give students a hands-on experience in printmaking and the chance to explore the flexible and creative possibilities of mixed media art!