SchoolArts - February 2011

numbers and letters as a main focus in their art. After discussion and comparison of these artists, I introduced a mixed-media printmaking project to my Art II class.

Each student in the class was assigned a number from zero through nine. Students researched fonts and printed their number in ten different fonts on a computer. In addition, they were required to design three original fonts for their specific number.

Students then selected their two favorite fonts and carved each of them on a different size stamp. One stamp was 2 x 3" ( 5 x 7. 5 cm) and the other was 3 x 5" ( 7. 5 x 12. 5 cm). Each student printed his or her numbers on one large paper so everyone could see the variety and selection available, since the entire class shared stamps.

The Backgrounds

To reduce confusion and distraction, I decided to make the lesson very structured in the beginning with specific requirements. Students began by creating ten different 8 x 10" ( 20 x 25 cm) backgrounds for their numbers. They were required to create six teacher-assigned collaged backgrounds using newspaper, tissue paper, magazine imagery or old book pages, a photo(s) of themselves, a map, and phone-book pages. All background collages had to be neat with edges completely glued down.

Creating Unity

Once all backgrounds were completed, students unified all of them with color. As a class, we looked at several completed background series. Students identified a dominant color in their background series, and I highlighted the importance of using more of that dominant color to create unity among all the backgrounds. At this stage, students were able to use multiple materials such as watercolor, acrylic paint, colored pencil, and glazes to add color and unity into their backgrounds.

Printing the Numbers Students started printing each number—zero through nine—on their backgrounds. They printed two of the same number on each background— one big and one small—and used contrasting colors so the numbers would stand out in relationship to the background. In addition, students were required to use the number they carved (both big and small). When all numbers were printed, students cropped the numbers using various sized, rectangular frames. Then they cut out all their numbers and saved their background scraps.

The Arrangement

Students arranged their cropped
numbers to make one quilt-like
composition. They were required to
use each number at least once, but
numbers could
be repeated. I
provided each
student with an
11 x 14" ( 28 x
35. 5 cm) piece of
poster board on which to adhere their
numbers. Once a student used each
number once, they were able to add
additional numbers and/or use their
background scraps to fill in any white
spaces between the collaged pieces.
We put heavy books on each project
while the glue dried to ensure that the
pieces dried completely flat.