Nutchele: Art: Stolen, Escaped, Recovered- Printmaking

This lesson focused on the escaped and recovered aspects of our theme. We made "want ads" or "lost" posters for a missing art piece. We carved a block, printed it on newsprint, and then wrote the rest of our ad underneath on our best print. (The preschool class stuck with just an initial and had parent help- child wrote the letter, parent carved, printed together).
Supplies:
ink
ink plate (I use a piece of plexi-glass)
wipes (for wiping ink off hands)
paper towels
bucket of water
roller
baren
newsprint
black pens or markers
carving block
carving tools

When carving the most important thing to keep in mind is that your image will appear the reverse. So if you write anything, write it backward so that it will print forward.
Draw on your block and then begin carving. I find it easiest to hold the tool in my hand like I would and ice cream scoop and then glide it across the block.
Once you have finished carving put about a tablespoon size blob on the ink plate. Roll the roller in the ink and on the plate until you have an even coating of ink on the roller. Roll the roller across your block until it is evenly covered in ink. Place your piece of paper on your block. Use the baren to rub over the paper making sure the ink is evenly pressed on the block. Gently lift away the paper and you have your print! I like to do another one or two prints with that block to clean it off then clean the block with a damp paper towel. Since I did this outside I had an ice cream bucket of water and had the kids get a paper towel, dip it in the bucket, squeeze it out, and then use it to wipe off their blocks. Make as many prints as you want or have time for. I use Blick water soluble ink so it rinses off and cleans up quite easily.